I love checking things off of my to-do list, but sometimes those lists can turn into an unorganized, never-ending mess of chores and errands that ends up making me feel bad about myself till I finally give up and toss it in the recycling bin. If your lists have you feeling overwhelmed, here are 10 tips to expedite your day and make sure those “to-dos” actually get done.

1. Two-Minute Rule

We all have those tasks we avoid doing even though we know they won’t take long. We probably spend longer thinking about doing the thing than it would actually take to do it. If there’s anything on your list that would take two minutes or less to accomplish, do it right away. Don’t even bother writing it down (unless you’re into that). It’ll give you an instant sense of accomplishment.

2. Time Travel

Jump into your DeLorean and fast forward to a time when you’ve completed your to-do list. Okay, we might not have that technology yet—but try imagining how you’ll feel once you’ve finished your tasks and you’re free to enjoy the rest of your day. Feel motivated yet?

3. Schedule Your To-Dos

This one’s pretty self-explanatory: Try assigning specific tasks to a certain time of day. This works best when you already have a pretty normal daily routine in place.

4. Automate

Automate what you can. For instance, if you’re like me and coffee is something your household needs to keep in constant supply, you might consider signing up for a coffee subscription service. Whatever your “thing” may be, automating it makes it one less thing for you to worry about!

5. Ask Yourself Why 

Why do I want to look for a new set of knives? Because our knives are old and dull. Why does it matter that our knives are old and dull? Because it means I spend an unnecessary amount of time on dinner prep. If you keep asking and answering this question in regard to each task on your list, you’ll eventually uncover a core value that you hold, which will help you prioritize the task in question.

6. Digital Or Paper?

Figure out which to-do list format works best for you and stick with that. If you know you get sucked into looking at Instagram if you keep your to-do list on your phone, then stick to good ol’ pen and paper. (It may still be best to keep long-term goals in a digital format so they don’t get lost among everyday tasks.)

7. Set A Time Limit

Try setting a time limit to keep yourself focused on the task at hand and get through more of the items on your overall list. You can always add the unfinished task to tomorrow’s list or come back to finish it later. You can also time yourself to get a better idea of how long your tasks take, then see if it’s possible to shorten that time (e.g., cut out time spent scrolling on your phone).

8. Write Your List The Day Before

Visualize tomorrow: What do you need to accomplish? Writing your to-do list the night before can help you organize your thoughts and prioritize what’s most important. 

9. Check Your Supplies

If any of your tasks require specific supplies, make sure you have (or buy) them before putting the task on your to-do list. The acquisition of said supplies might need to go on your list before the task itself. 

10. Create A ‘To-Don’t’ List

For those who have a hard time concentrating on a single task, keep a running list of things that tend to sidetrack you throughout the day. Put those on a “to-don’t” list to check back on later. Mindfully avoid letting those things distract you and try to cultivate healthy habits, concentrating on the things you want to get done first.  

Now that Dry January is over, many people are sober-curious and wondering what to do after abstaining from alcohol last month. As more women become mindful drinkers, they’re starting to discover the “damp lifestyle.” Here’s what it’s all about and why it may work better than a sober month.

A ‘Damp Lifestyle’ Accounts For Moderation

In January 2022, TikToker Hana Danly decided to be a mindful drinker and coined the term “damp lifestyle.” It’s a moderate drinking technique that Danly opted for instead of going dry last January.

In the now viral video, the TikToker shared, “We talk about being sober. We talk about being drunk. But how do we successfully follow a ‘damp lifestyle?’”

For Danly, going damp has offered a drinking option that many people don’t discuss: moderation. In another video, Danly shared how this option is often overlooked in a society that promotes drinking alcohol.

“The damp lifestyle is internalizing the fact that drinking culture and your relationship with alcohol does not have to be black and white, all or nothing.”

Since going damp is a lifestyle choice and not just a 31-day challenge, it may work better for people who aren’t addicted to alcohol and simply want to reduce their intake.

OBGYN Karina Celaya recently told InStyle, “Going damp may be helpful for those who want to find a middle ground, one that would allow for consumption of alcohol in moderation.”

According to a study published in Health Psychology, moderation can be a more effective way to decrease drinking than simply going cold turkey. In fact, one-third of people who try to do Dry January end up drinking at some point during the month.

It’s a lifestyle choice that more and more women are making. After a spike in alcohol use during COVID-19 lockdowns, many are coming to terms with their relationship with alcohol. Lauren Manaker, a 43-year-old registered dietician-nutritionist, is just one woman who escalated her alcohol intake during COVID-19. 

Manker told InStyle, “I was getting in the habit of pouring a glass of wine every day around 5 p.m., and if I felt stressed, I would lean on wine to help myself unwind. Getting to the point where you need a drink is not OK,” she admitted. “I wanted to get away from that feeling.” 

Even so, the dietician-nutritionist enjoys social drinking and “having a glass of wine with friends at happy hour or enjoying a spicy margarita on taco Tuesday.”

Once she opted for the “damp lifestyle,” Manaker recognized that she had been drinking out of habit and became more mindful about her alcohol consumption.

While Manaker wanted to rid herself of needing a drink, Danly started drinking less as a way to improve her mental health.

In the past year, the TikToker has had some major mental and physical health gains since living the “damp lifestyle.” Some of the domino effects she says she has experienced include better mental health, more energy, sleeping more, better skin, and being happier.

Although going damp has worked for her, Danly is quick to point out that this lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Some people do need to be sober due to alcoholism or alcohol use disorder. In fact, a recent study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shows that many Americans drink an unhealthy amount of alcohol.

For those who aren’t sober or working towards sobriety, the “damp lifestyle” is a great way to practice mindful living. Here are a few ways you can go damp this year.

Use Your Motivating Factor

Danly encourages everyone to know their motivating factor and focus on their why. For the TikToker, her why includes mental health struggles. She first went damp after realizing that alcohol was the “common denominator” when she had mental health challenges.

Start With One Or Two Small Goals

The TikToker also says that people should start with just a couple of small goals. For Danly, drinking water in between drinks, having only one alcoholic drink at a restaurant, and going to an event sober were small ways she began living the “damp lifestyle.”

Stick To Alcohol-Free Days And Times

Once you’re able to sustain your small goals, you can move on to bigger goals such as not drinking during the week, only drinking socially, and abstaining from hard liquor. 

Compassion Is Key

With any change, offering yourself grace and compassion is necessary. Dr. Jill Carnahan, M.D. told InStyle, “Don’t be too hard on yourself if you fail to keep your commitment. If you are creating a new habit, it may take an average of many tries to successfully ingrain the new habit into your subconscious.”

If you’re sober-curious, trying out the “damp lifestyle” may just be the key to living more mindfully this year.

According to Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence, the pursuit of happiness is an unalienable right. But what does that mean? Happiness is an incredibly difficult thing to describe and quantify—despite the research that’s been done on the subject.

Gallup conducts annual self-reported happiness surveys in which people anonymously rate their life satisfaction level. Every year, in more than 160 countries, they ask people this question:

“Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” 

Researchers in various studies try to find associations between happiness, behavior, and personal characteristics. They also use the data to compare the happiness levels of different countries—which is why we often hear that Denmark is the “happiest” place on the planet. That statistic comes from the Legatum Institute’s Prosperity Index, which uses Gallup’s data for the emotional well-being portion of its reporting.

Even though happiness is difficult to describe, we need to have some way of measuring it ourselves using something other than a Gallup poll or data gathered by other external sources. 

That’s the opinion of happiness researcher and author Arthur Brooks, who said, “In order to understand and manage your own happiness, you need more nuanced self-tests, of which there are many.”

Brooks wrote in The Atlantic that his favorite self-test is the PANAS, or the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. It measures “the intensity and frequency of positive and negative moods and feelings,” which he said clearly shows that positive and negative feelings aren’t incompatible.

Using PANAS, Brooks has outlined four categories people tend to fall into, each with its own fairly self-explanatory nickname:

1. Mad Scientists: high positive affect and high negative affect.
2. Sober Judgers: low positive affect and low negative affect.
3. Cheerleaders: high positive affect and low negative affect.
4. Poets: Low positive affect and high negative affect.

(“Affect” as it’s used here refers to the experience of feelings, emotions, and moods.)

The key, said Brooks, is to remember that self-reported happiness tests are simply a source of information we can use to understand ourselves better and to make positive changes. 

Brooks also noted that you shouldn’t feel down on yourself for, say, being a Sober Judge when you may want to be a Cheerleader. All four types of people are essential for creating balance in the world, and anyway, it’s important to remember that the enemy of happiness is social comparison.

Using PANAS to measure the frequency and intensity of your feelings and moods is a good way to identify the vital role you play in the world. Understanding that may better equip you to be gentle with yourself and improve your well-being.

And if you want to improve your happiness, cut out the comparisons. You can never go wrong by spending less time scrolling and more time focusing on yourself and the important people and relationships in your world.

Valentine’s Day may seem like it’s only about romantic love, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! The holiday is also a wonderful opportunity to practice self-love. If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, we think we’ve found the perfect way you can treat yourself.

SinglesSwag Products Are Designed With Single Women In Mind

One easy way to be your own valentine this February is to order a box from SinglesSwag. The company is all about encouraging women to love their single selves.

In fact, SinglesSwag doesn’t subscribe to cultural norms or relationship expectations that are typically put on women. Instead, they believe that “a woman’s happiness is determined by her outlook and attitude, not by her relationship status.” We’re all about this outlook and think more people should celebrate their singleness.

SinglesSwag makes it easy for women to love themselves, carefully crafting boxes that contain anything from organic bath and beauty products to trendy fashion accessories, books, and even jewelry items. SinglesSwag’s items empower and inspire women to live their best life. 

What’s more, the company puts its money where its mouth is—a portion of its proceeds even goes toward breast cancer research!

Although you can purchase single items, the best way to treat yourself or any single woman in your life is through their affordable monthly box subscription that’s full of exciting surprises.

Of course, you can opt for the monthly plan and cancel at any time if you want a one-off Valentine’s Day treat, but if you choose a multi-month or annual subscription, you can save even more. That’s good news since you’ll probably fall in love with just the first box.

You can even opt for one of two sizes, making their monthly very budget-friendly. The large box comes with seven to eight full-sized products, while the smaller option contains four to five full-sized items.

Since the products are hand-selected exclusively for fun and fabulous single women, you’re sure to enjoy each box, no matter which option you choose.

Perfect for any single woman on Valentine’s Day, their February box is full of amazing items. Just a few of the highlights from the kit includes Lisa Currie’s book The Positivity Kit, a fabulous cold therapy ice roller, a Vitamin-C repairing serum that’s perfect for the winter months, and a mani-pedi treatment set that will keep your nails and feet happy during the cold weather.

One Subscriber Says It’s ‘Like Christmas In A Box’

But don’t just take our word for it. According to reviews, SinglesSwag has plenty of happy customers. One subscriber calls the box the “best subscription ever.”

Many people also agree with one happy customer who said, “SinglesSwag is like Christmas in a box! It’s become my favorite reminder to be myself, love myself, and celebrate my singleness.”

A SinglesSwag subscription is the perfect gift for you or any single woman in your life. Plus, it’s the gift that will keep on giving every month, so you can celebrate yourself year-round.

If you’re looking for a unique way to show up for yourself this holiday, SinglesSwag has you covered.

Many people have started the new year strong with a new take on the power of positive thinking. From TikTok stars to cognitive behavioral therapists, people are gushing over the power of “lucky girl syndrome.” But can this latest technique work for you?

Although the idea of positive thinking became famous in the 1990s, it’s been around for millenia. Even 2,000 years ago, Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” But thanks to social media, “lucky girl syndrome” is a new take on the ancient idea.

The Latest Way To Manifest Positive Outcomes

As the name implies, “lucky girl syndrome” is one way to manifest positive outcomes. The term began to trend a few weeks ago after Laura Galebe posted a viral video about the power of positive thinking.

She said, “The secret is to assume and believe it before the concrete proof shows up.” Wanting to prove her point, she showed up with receipts.”I get the most insane opportunities thrown at me out of nowhere,” she explained in the video that has 3 million views. “I just always expect great things to happen to me, and they do.”

While the TikTok star only shared what “lucky girl syndrome” is, others commented on the video that action is often required to manifest positive outcomes. Plus, as one TikToker remarked, “There is also an amount of privilege that helps out.”

Actions Speak Louder Than… Thoughts?

Another person who is all about manifesting positive outcomes is cognitive behavioral therapist Chamin Ajjan. In a recent interview on TODAY with Hoda and Jenna, the therapist shared that she has some of her patients manifest what they want through both thoughts and action.

“You have to have positive thinking to be able to manifest. Positive thinking is a part of manifestation but it’s not the whole thing,” Ajjan shared. “If you put the action behind it, that is where the real magic happens.”

As the therapist also pointed out, “There’s plenty of research that validates the power of positive thinking.” In fact, at least one study shows that positive thinking can help alleviate stress and anxiety.

Whether you refer to it as positive thinking, “lucky girl syndrome,” or manifestation, Ajjan shared that the key is to identify what you want, set an intention, create an action plan, and then review what’s working every week. If you’re ready to make a few changes this year, thinking positively is certainly worth a try!

Did you make a lofty list of resolutions or goals you wanted to achieve in preparation for the beginning of the year? I’m no different, but as the weeks have rolled by, I’ve realized (as I have every year) that the new year isn’t some magical restart. We are still just ourselves, living our regular lives.

To achieve our goals or to even just get started on our to-do lists, we need to prioritize. Time management is something many of us struggle with. We want to be productive, but without the right tools, we can fall right back into our less-than-ideal routines. 

If you’re a human being, you probably struggle with procrastination or focusing your attention when you want to get things done—or you might just be overwhelmed with your daily tasks. Whatever the case, here’s an easy, clever, time-tested method to help you better manage your time. 

The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late ’80s when he was just a student. When he realized he wasn’t getting enough done in his study sessions, he grabbed a timer, which happened to be a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (pomodoro is Italian for tomato), and set it for a short amount of time.

After a bit of trial and error, he found that 25-minute focused work sessions separated by short breaks effectively helped him accomplish more. He’s since written a book on the method and now works as a consultant with top companies around the world.

How To Follow The Pomodoro Technique

1. Choose a task.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
3. Focus on the task until the timer goes off.
4. Take a short break (two to five minutes).
5. Repeat four times (these bursts of productivity are called pomodoros).
6. Take a longer break after four work sessions (15-30 minutes).

This method helps by breaking up your tasks into smaller segments, keeping you from feeling overwhelmed by something that feels too large or unmanageable.

I’ve adopted the technique for writing this article, and so far, I’ve noticed that I do feel more focused than normal. Knowing that I have a break coming up has helped me stay concentrated on the task at hand and not on what else I could be doing.

The Pomodoro Technique can also help stave off mental fatigue. Some people push through their tasks just to get them done, even if they’re stressed and tired and the work isn’t their best. This method is likely to improve the quality of your work while ensuring you don’t get burned out.

Other benefits include breaking the habit of multitasking, improving motivation, and increasing your willpower.

Whatever your goals, to-do lists, or resolutions entail, the Pomodoro Technique might be just the thing you need to start off on the right foot.

There are so many elements of getting older, most of which no one told me about. But I did hear a whole lot about skincare and makeup. For women, the aspect discussed the most—in the media, social media, and even among friends—is how we look as we age.

In a column for The Cut, Amil Niazi explored this social dilemma and she really got me thinking. Does our focus on the physical aging process prevent us from truly contending with the feeling and experience of middle age in an honest way?

Look Good, Feel Good?

The vast majority of aging tips online and in magazines focus on looking younger. And having a carefully-curated skincare routine to prevent lines and wrinkles is big business. 

Anti-aging products, along with cosmetic procedures like Botox and filler are wildly popular among Gen X, older Millennials—even Gen Zers are getting in on the act as a preventive tactic. 

Meanwhile, older women are told they’re too old for glittery eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner, false eyelashes, and brightly-colored lipsticks. Don’t show too much skin, don’t wear anything form-fitting or too colorful or too black or too white.

Act your age but please don’t look your age.

The stunning lack of women over 50 in pop culture is no secret. We also know that’s not a reflection of real life. And the disconnect leaves older women feeling like there’s something wrong with their very existence. 

You Can’t Outrun Heartbreak

Despite some inroads when it comes to the representation of older women, youth worship is pervasive. The messages we receive from every corner of our lives often leads to spending a lot of time and money in attempts to remain as youthful-looking as possible. 

The thing is, as Niazi points out, by concentrating so much on looking good, we forgot to make sure we’re feeling good. Once you make it to your 40s and older, a whole new set of personal issues can emerge. What you can’t outrun, she says, is what it means to really age. And how time actually “reshapes” us.

Niazi hit the nail on the head when she wrote that “no amount of Botox, cryo baths, or epigenetic age-reversing can stop that heartbreaking moment when you have to decide how to care for an elderly parent.” That task is going to be daunting no matter how young you look. 

In addition to aging parents, you might see old friends popping up on your social media feed announcing a cancer diagnosis or going through a divorce.

Maybe you are going through a divorce and are suddenly all alone with three kids. Or, your career isn’t where you want it to be and you are thinking about making a change. Life in middle age is difficult, and it can also be beautiful if we pay attention to more than just looking beautiful.

One thing is for sure—not having wrinkles isn’t going to prevent you from going through the hardships that come with getting older.

Aging Is A Gift

As Niazi writes in her piece, “Aging is a privilege, a measure of fullness, a gift of time, even when it takes as much as it gives.” But all our conversations about this inevitable process seem to focus entirely on the physical.

Getting older might be much more enjoyable if we removed the emphasis on physical appearances and allowed people to just be. To experience our lives and focus on what really matters without constantly worrying about how we look.

Instead of worrying about makeup tips for looking younger or the latest trendy hairstyle, if women in middle age were fed at least as much information about their careers, making new friends, or the challenges of dating after 50, we might be a little better prepared for what’s to come.

I just bought a house and would love to know about paying off my mortgage as fast as possible and retiring debt free. I’d also like to have conversations about the weird feelings at this stage of my life about choosing to not get married and have kids. Being a strong, independent woman in her 40s isn’t as easy as it looks.

Honestly, the older I get, this focus on youth is starting to mess with my head. It’s time to change the middle-age narrative.

Since the pandemic first hit three years ago, it seems like life stresses have only continued to stack year after year. News headlines, toxic social media posts, and times of uncertainty just added to the daily stresses life can already bring.

All that negativity can take its toll on both our emotional and physical health. Luckily, there are small changes we can make to help turn the tide when it feels like it’s all too much.

Author and meditation teacher Barb Schmidt and her daughter, Michelle Maros, are dedicated to sharing wellness advice on their social media accounts and through their nonprofit Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life.

Starting the new year right, the duo shared a video detailing “4 Tips For Becoming Unbothered,” and it’s definitely advice we can get behind.

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A post shared by Barb Schmidt (@peaceful_barb)

1. Not Everything Needs An Emotional Reaction

Responding emotionally to everything in your life can be exhausting. If you feel like other people’s actions are affecting your emotional state, it could benefit you to take a step back before responding.

Recognizing patterns and triggers can take time, but realizing that other people’s actions don’t have to change your mental state is empowering. Barb advised to “reclaim your power” by not allowing other people’s choices to affect your experience.

2. Don’t Make Assumptions

The second tip from the mother-daughter team is to stop making assumptions. Michelle said, “I’ve saved myself a lot of unnecessary stress by working up the courage to ask direct questions instead of making assumptions.”

This can be difficult, especially for those who hate confrontation. However, asking open-ended, friendly, clarifying questions (hopefully) shouldn’t end in conflict.

3. Avoid Personalizing What Other People Do

If someone is disrespectful of you or your time, try to keep in mind that it has more to do with them than with you. Taking things too personally can become damaging to your self-esteem.

Of course, there’s a balance—if the person intended to belittle or hurt you, then prioritize time away from that person. But if you notice you get your feelings hurt regularly by different people, it could mean you’re taking things too personally on a deeper level. Be sure to set boundaries with people who are constantly taking advantage of you.

4. Know Your Limits

Hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness can all contribute to becoming more easily triggered or annoyed, according to the pair. Knowing when you need to recharge and take some “me” time is vital for your mental health and for your relationships.

Becoming “unbothered” in the new year doesn’t mean disconnecting or ghosting other people, but it does mean prioritizing your mental health. Here’s to becoming more at peace in 2023!

Welcome to the Age of the Selfie: the perfect confluence of digital photography, social media, and rampant smartphone usage.

We take a lot of pictures of ourselves, but this inward focus isn’t always positive. If you’re a living, breathing human in 2023, chances are you’ve taken a photo of yourself and immediately scoffed in disdain at least once in your life. Because despite how much we love taking selfies, we rarely love the snapshots themselves.

Hating pictures of oneself is a widespread phenomenon, and no, it isn’t because we’re all unphotogenic. On the contrary, there are several reasons why our brains are hardwired to dislike our own photos.

I reached out to several mental health experts (and even an art historian) to get the scoop on our selfie scorn.

1. You Aren’t Use To Seeing You

One major reason why we hate our selfies so much is that we’re not used to seeing ourselves—not the real us, anyway.

“The face you see in the mirror isn’t your true face (the one that everyone else sees),” says Tyler Woodard, wellness expert and founder of Edensgate.

“It’s a mirror image,” Woodard continues. “It’s the same thing that happens when you hear your voice on a recording, and you don’t recognize it. Despite your face belonging to you, you actually aren’t familiar with your own face as you’ve only seen a reversal of it.”

“Because your face isn’t symmetrical, this can add to the confusion when looking at a non-mirrored image of yourself. This is made even more confusing when you factor in Snapchat and any image-altering apps that can leave you believing you look one way when, in reality, your face is perfect just the way it is.”

2. They’re Low Effort And Easy To Criticize

Liam Davis, an art historian at the Academy of Art History and Editor-in-Chief at Artfile Magazine, poses another idea for why it’s so easy for us to disregard selfies: they’re easy to take (and retake, and retake, and…you get the point).

“They’re low effort,” Davis explains. “We often call something we made ‘bad’ because they’re easy to do over.”

“It only takes a couple of seconds to snap a selfie, and you can take dozens of them in one go. That means you can always do another one if your previous one looks bad. This raises our standard when taking selfies, sometimes to unreasonable heights,” Davis says.

In the era of disposable (and thanks to photo editing software, unrealistic) content on social media, it can become even easier to assume you have a better selfie in you—whether that’s because you have an extra few minutes to take another ten snaps or because you’re comparing them to someone else’s selfie.

RELATED: Tips For Picking And Using Crystals For Self-Love

3. They Carry A Lot Of Weight

However, as easy as it is to take selfies, these self-portraits tend to carry a lot of responsibility.

“We may be able to understand why we initially hate our selfies when we think about the concept of representation,” says Emma Loker, mental health specialist from Healthy Minded.

“Representations are symbols and signs that index, stand in for, or represent us to others. [They] become even more important when they take the form of self-representations, such as selfies. When we post them on social media, they inform others’ views of us and the reach we get on the platform.

“Self-representations form a part of our identity—the things, people, norms and conventions, and practices we identify with and collect throughout our lives serve as our identity. This makes whatever we choose to stand in for us—to represent us—incredibly important, which may explain why we notice the tiniest of imperfections in our selfies.”

4. The Power Of Perspective And Time

Finally, there are two powerful forces at play to consider: perspective and time.

“Our self-esteem, or how we view ourselves, can influence how we feel about photos of ourselves. If we have low self-esteem, we may be more critical of our appearances and less likely to view pictures of ourselves favorably,” explains Alyssa Roberts, Doctor of Psychology and senior writer at Practical Psychology.

“When we look at a photo of ourselves, we often do so from a third-person perspective, which can be disorienting and even distancing. This can make it challenging to connect with the person in the photo and may lead to a negative reaction,” Roberts continues.

“When we look back on the same images later on, however, we may have a different perspective and be more able to see the beauty and value in the person we see in the photo. We may see ourselves through the lens of nostalgia and be more able to appreciate our younger [even by a few months] selves in a way that we couldn’t when the images were first taken.”

RELATED: Our Solution To Harmful Social Media Filters Is Even More Unproductive (And Annoying)

We mustn’t underestimate the limiting nature of our immediate perspective. As Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek put it, “one day, you will look at those photos with much kinder eyes and say, ‘dear God, I was a beautiful thing!’”

While it might be tempting to write off a lousy selfie as a personal case of un-photogenicism, there is a whole slew of reasons why you might dislike the picture—none of which have to do with the presence or absence of beauty.

So, go ahead and snap away. Even if you don’t like the selfies you took today, you might look at them more fondly tomorrow.

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Worrywart, nervous Nellie, fretting Fran—whatever you call someone who worries excessively, I consider myself to be one. And if you’re like me, you can rest assured we’re not alone. The American Psychological Association’s Stress in America 2022 report paints a bleak picture of a country riddled with anxiety and dread. 

If you don’t feel like scrolling through the whole report, allow me to summarize: We’re all worried about something. Shocker, right? While it might be tempting to lean into more avoidant solutions, clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioral therapist Dr. Ali Mattu recommends diving headfirst into your distress with scheduled “worry time.” 

But again, if you’re anything like me, worry time is all the time. So what’s the difference? I sat down with Dr. Mattu to find out.

What Is Worry Time?

“Worry time” has no prerequisites or rules regarding subject matter; no concern is too big or too small if it’s negatively affecting your mental, emotional, or physical health. However, there are a few recommended guidelines to make the most of this time.

RELATED: Thinking Your Blues Away: The Amazing Way We Could Potentially Overpower Negative Memories With Positive Ones

“To do worry time right, pick a time of day when you’re not distracted by other demands [and you can] get a bit emotional,” Mattu said. “In other words, don’t do worry time before an important meeting or before going to sleep. Then give yourself 5-10 minutes: less time if this scares you, more time as you become comfortable with it.”

He continued, “During this time, allow yourself to write down all your thoughts about everything you dread—all your worries, everything that’s on your mind right now. Then, during the rest of the day, if your mind starts to focus on the things you dread, remind yourself that you have worry time to focus completely on these thoughts. 

“Worry time can work because it helps you get unstuck with your thoughts and focuses your attention on what really matters. As you revisit the things you wrote down, you might start to see patterns that help you gain a more accurate view of the things you dread.”

Worried About Your Worry Time?

As someone with little to no wiggle room in my daily schedule, the idea of adding time to worry (instead of worrying 24/7, which is far more efficient to my mind) is laughable. So I asked Mattu about that, too. “If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably giving your worries a LOT of your time,” he responded. 

“All I’m asking you to do is try a different way of approaching your thoughts instead of ruminating about them in your mind. Even just one minute of worry time could help. And we can all find one minute somewhere in our lives—during a commute by recording into your phone, while waiting for a kettle to go off, or while sitting on the toilet.

“Our thoughts always reflect our emotions,” he explained. “When we’re anxious, our thoughts focus on disaster; when angry, everything is an injustice, and when happy, life looks great. So your thoughts are really just this background noise of the mind. Sometimes there are good bits in there, but a lot of the time, it’s just noise.”

Mattu concluded by saying, “You can’t control what thoughts your mind produces, but you do have some control over how much focus you give them. Techniques like worry time can help you learn how to give your thoughts a bit less of your time and focus on what really matters—the stuff going on outside of your head.”

So I suppose there’s just one thing left to worry about—when will you schedule your worry time?

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You’ve likely already heard of your star sign, and you might have even taken your Myers-Briggs personality test to figure out your type (hi, INFP here). But how much do you know about your Enneagram type? 

The Enneagram of Personality refers to nine distinct ways of thinking, feeling, and acting in the world, which are represented by numbers one through nine. The nine enneagram types are organized around three centers: the body (Types 8, 9, and 1), heart (Types 2, 3, and 4), and mind (Types 5, 6, and 7). 

The Enneagram can help us better understand our subconscious selves, which can be especially useful when navigating midlife. However, finding your Enneagram type may be a bit more nuanced than any free online quiz might lead you to believe. 

So, I sat down with Enneagram professional Jim Gum to dive into what the Enneagram is and why finding your type can be so beneficial.

First, What Is An Enneagram?

Gum, who has been an Enneagram practitioner for over 30 years, said the Enneagram reveals our “unconscious ways—patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior.”

“At its simplest, the Enneagram is this: how people think, feel, and behave,” Gum continued. “Some people think [or feel or act] too much, some people don’t think [or feel or act] enough, and some people are out of touch with what they think [or feel or do].” 

“Imagine a lighthouse. It has a beam of light, and it rotates. If my beam of light is rotating, I can see everything. The Enneagram would teach my beam of light that it’s gotten stuck and is no longer rotating. What I pay attention to is a narrow slice of reality. The Enneagram describes nine distinct slices of reality. 

“And because we all look at a narrow slice of reality, we make two mistakes. One, we think our light’s going around, and we see everything. And secondly, we believe everybody sees things exactly as we do. It also describes why we have a shadow self because there are things that we’re blind to or we choose not to look at.”

Midlife Personality Shifts

The unrest many people feel in midlife often has to do with our battling selves, Gum explained.

“You have to develop a personality to survive the first part of your life. It got you through surviving your family, picking some direction in life—that’s the first half of life. But by your late 20s, early 30s, all that strategy [you used] to make your way through the world—your way of being—is limiting. It’s not sufficient.”

Thus, the question of midlife becomes: do I continue to be the automatic self that brought me far enough to survive childhood, find a partner, and maybe have kids? Or do I recognize that my automatic self is no longer sufficient or not as fulfilling as I once thought?

Gum quoted Carl Jung: “‘We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning.’ That’s the two halves of life.”

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Midlife is a time for figuring out what parts of our distinct ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving are working for us and, more importantly, which ones aren’t.

“That work is really hard work. We have to be honest with the things that aren’t great,” Gum said. The Enneagram provides us with a framework for this type of self-reflection.

Learning To Embrace Light And Dark

“For every type, there are some really great things about that type. Then, there’s a whole page of crappy stuff,” Gum said. “Some people don’t like to focus on their weaknesses; some people focus on it too much—which is a function of type. I think the second half of life is [about] embracing the light and dark within myself.

“The work of midlife is to embrace the light, hug the darkness, and own it. Don’t let it control you because if you deny it, it just gets stronger.”

Gum uses Type 2 (the helper or female archetype) as an example. “What happens so often is they overhelp. That’s their strategy.

“But it can be invasive and obtrusive, and people say, ‘Hey, back off.’ But all they want to do is be seen by being helpful. That’s a huge emotional crisis. It’s not ‘do I help or not,’ which would be easy to solve. It’s, ‘when is helping coming from a healthy place—a good heart,’ and ‘when is it me needing to be needed?’ Every type has one of those dilemmas.”

Finding Your True Enneagram Type

When we are familiar with our Enneagram type, we can identify these urges and desires so we can control them accordingly, as opposed to them controlling us.

But unlike your run-of-the-mill online personality quiz, your Enneagram type delves deep into your unconscious motivations. For this reason, it can be difficult to determine your type without a deeper understanding or competent guide.

“The Enneagram is hard to figure out because there’s not a definitive test [like with the Meyers Briggs’ personality types],” Gum said. “It’s about shadow work, which is hard for everybody. How can you own the things you don’t see or want to see?”

An Enneagram practitioner helps reveal your inner shadow self more clearly. 

“As an Enneagram professional, I can make a lot of progress with someone over the core issues that keep tripping them up but they don’t know what’s behind it,” Gum explained. “It’s just hard to look at that stuff. You have to be both open to looking at it, and you have to be kind to yourself and others. But the amount of insight in a short amount of time is huge.” 

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“The Enneagram is about our automatic routines. It’s how we do our life,” Gum said. “The work of consciousness or being aware of that. The Enneagram is a shortcut to understand both what motivates us and where we get stuck.” 

In addition to Enneagram coaching, Jim Gum hosts Story Enneagram, a podcast featuring stories, interviews, and reflections, and pens the Story Enneagram blog.

Each of these online resources provides valuable information on finding and understanding your enneagram type so that you can navigate midlife and beyond more thoughtfully, positively, and successfully. 

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We all know someone who, no matter how long they think things through, still can’t figure out what they want. Whether ordering at a restaurant, making a lifestyle change, or taking action in a relationship, this person will spend hours hemming and hawing. Maybe you’re that person. 

If you are, a June 2022 study from the University of Cologne and the Hochschule Döpfer University shows you might have less to worry about than you think (because let’s be honest, you’re already doing enough worrying). While indecisiveness can vary from sometimes inconvenient to full-on debilitating, research shows this wishy-washy trait could be a sign of higher intelligence. 

Read on—or don’t. The decision is yours, after all.

Just How Indecisive Are You?

One of the most common ways to measure someone’s indecisiveness is the Frost Indecisiveness Scale. The scale presents 15 declarative statements, such as “I try to put off making decisions” and “I always know exactly what I want.”

An individual then rates these statements on a scale of one to five, one meaning they strongly disagree and five meaning they strongly agree. The higher your score, the more indecisive you are.

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Research using this measurement system found that indecisiveness is often a byproduct of perfectionism. An aversion to the shame and guilt associated with an incorrect or negative choice causes these individuals to put off making a decision altogether.

It’s also a common symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as found by the creator of the Frost Indecisiveness Scale, Randy O. Frost.

Now, How Ambivalent Are You?

Whereas Frost’s research focused on indecisiveness in general, the more recent study found a better, more accurate metric to use: trait ambivalence. This is defined as one’s ability to remain ambivalent or have mixed feelings. 

More specifically, the study observed trait ambivalence in the context of confirmation, which is the tendency to prefer information that’s in accord with our preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, regardless of the information presented. Confirmation bias, correspondence bias, and self-serving bias can color our decision-making. 

The study found that this form of biased thinking is also less accurate overall. When was the last time you regretted a hasty decision? Many of us are guilty of jumping to conclusions before weighing out all the options. This is essentially the opposite of indecisiveness and arguably just as detrimental in some instances.

The Cost Of Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias prevents us from thinking rationally, blinding us to evidence that doesn’t align with our beliefs. It can create dogmatic or overly-simplistic thinking, but it isn’t the only cognitive maladaptation we frequently use. Correspondence bias is equally as guilty of pulling the wool over our eyes. 

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Correspondence bias differs from confirmation bias in that the former involves connecting two unrelated things without considering the context. This can be something like assuming someone’s a bad driver because they got into a car accident without considering whether the road conditions were bad. 

Similarly, self-serving bias allows us to see what best serves us (and little else). All these types of cognitive dissonance cause us to think and act on misinformation. The study suggests trait ambivalence protects individuals from this way of thinking.

The Perks Of Seeing Pros And Cons

Researchers determined the relationship between trait ambivalence and confirmation through a meta-analysis of multiple studies. The researchers read brief scenarios in each study to assess participants’ biases and assumptions, if applicable. 

Researchers found that trait ambivalence “leads to increased associative breadth, higher cognitive flexibility, more accurate judgments, and more awareness and effectiveness in decision-making.” 

As long as your indecisiveness isn’t causing fearful paralysis, there’s merit to be found in mulling things over for a bit.

So go ahead and think on it a little while longer. But maybe set a rumination timer, so you don’t go too far down the rabbit hole.

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Many people experience loneliness at some point during their lives, but not everyone experiences it the same way.

Feeling lonely is completely subjective—people may feel social loneliness, emotional loneliness, and/or existential loneliness. That said, what causes feelings of loneliness is much less understood.

According to a new study published in Women’s Midlife Health, over one-third of the adult population in the U.S. reported feelings of loneliness. This is alarming, given that this “state of distress” is often negatively linked to various mental and physical health issues.

Moreover, the study authors mentioned that loneliness is often less understood when it comes to minorities and women, both of whom are at higher risks of experiencing abuse and trauma. As such, researchers set aim at trying to better understand loneliness and its possible link with trauma.

The Study Participants

Fifty people between the ages of 35 and 60 who identified as women and who were fluent in English were recruited and interviewed for the study. The women lived in economically distressed neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. The Temple University Hospital System (TUHS) completed its research between February 2017 and April 2018.

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As per the study, the women had an average age of 50 and 74% were African American. Half of the study subjects were single, more than half were unemployed, and 70% reported prior mental health struggles. During the study, assessment tools confirmed that 78% of the subjects had anxiety and 64% had depression.

The Results

Common themes emerged from interviews conducted within the study group. Perceived causes of their collective loneliness included trauma, unhealthy relationships, and the burden of responsibility for others. Trauma was the most common theme, with only three participants not reporting any trauma in their lifetimes.

Physical abuse was reported by 80% of participants, while sexual abuse was reported by 58%. Emotional abuse or neglect was reported by an additional 62%. Overall, the study found that physical and emotional abuse was notably associated with loneliness.

Furthermore, a person’s loneliness score increased when she had several traumatic events in her lifetime. Interestingly, the study did not find increased levels of loneliness when participants reported experiencing sexual abuse, witnessing violence, and being raised by non-biological caregivers.

Many participants described feeling detached and feeling a need for companionship or someone to talk to, even when other people were around. One participant responded to the interview questions by saying, “Mentally I grew up alone, even though I was in a house, a family, and people around me … Mentally, I was broken.” 

Another woman stated that she didn’t want to continue the cycle of abuse, saying, “I’m just trying to break that cycle because I’m not going to raise my kids like that.” 

The Need For Trauma-Informed Care

Because loneliness is correlated with feelings of despair, suicidal ideation, and other mental health issues, trauma-informed care is desperately needed. The physical health consequences of loneliness are also apparent.

Being lonely has been associated with poor immune response, coronary artery disease, and poor sleep. It’s been linked with cognitive decline, poorer mental health outcomes, and dementia as well.

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Trauma-informed care is important for most populations. However, given the results of this study, low-income, midlife, and minority women in particular should be screened for trauma and loneliness—particularly in primary care and mental health settings.

Trauma-informed care takes into account a person’s past experiences and builds trust between the patient and the provider. It keeps the patient’s safety, emotional and physical, at the forefront. More research is needed, but supporting women in midlife is essential, especially focusing on mitigating loneliness and providing access to and support for trauma treatment.

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A generation that thrived on being left alone after school is proving adulting alone isn’t that bad. Apparently, the independence that Gen Xers developed in their childhoods is proving to be paramount in adulting.

Now that the “Latchkey Generation” is fully in midlife, they’re showing the world that living in solitude doesn’t necessarily mean you’re lonely. In fact, some prefer it. A few Gen Xers recently shared what it’s like to live alone with The New York Times.

One of the Gen Xers, Jay Miles, has never been married and doesn’t have any kids. The 52-year-old’s independent lifestyle has suited his creativity as a videographer in Connecticut. As he put it, his mix of “independence and stubbornness” has allowed him to happily live alone.

Donna Selman feels similarly about being single. The 55-year-old college professor who lives in Illinois is grateful to be on her own. In fact, she is thankful that she is able to enjoy the financial and emotional autonomy that her mother and aunts were unable to experience.

Is It Surprising That The ‘Latchkey Generation’ Wants To Be Alone As Adults?

According to a recent study, Miles and Selman are just two people part of a growing demographic group in the United States: people 50 and older who live alone.

In 1960, only 13 percent of American households had only one occupant. That number has continued to steadily rise over the years, and the Census Bureau places it at around 30 percent today. In fact, if a household is headed by a person age 50 or older, the number increases to 36 percent.

There are several reasons for the shift in household dynamics. Gen Xers grew up during a time when divorce became common. Plus, women were able to work more outside of the home.

As Generation X became adults, some of them chose not to marry and not to have any kids. They opted for a life of solitude, just as Miles did.

Since women were also to work outside of the home, Gen Xers like Selman found that they were content being the breadwinner and living on their own.

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Just as Miles and Selman are happy with their choices, other adults who have chosen to remain on their own have positive views about living alone.

According to Dr. Markus Schafer, a sociologist at Baylor University who studies older populations, “There is this huge, kind of explosive social and demographic change happening.”

Although many Gen Xers appear to be happy on their own, there is some concern about what this will mean for the generation as they continue to age. Even Dr. Schafer’s research shows that while people who live alone still have an active social life, people in this group are typically more lonely than people who live together.

A bigger concern, however, is the challenge of living alone as a person ages. “What will happen to this cohort?” asked Dr. Schafer. “Can they continue to find other supports that compensate for living alone?”

Thank You For Being A Friend

For a generation that was raised on TV, the answer may come from a surprising source. Perhaps Generation X just needs to look to a popular TV series from the 1980s: The Golden Girls. In the show, four women in their 50s and older end up living together after they all become single.

Though Gen Xers may be reluctant to give up their solitude and move in with their friends, the idea of community and caring for one another could prove to be key for this generation. The Golden Girls showed the world that you don’t necessarily need family to take care of you as you age. All you need are a group of loving friends.

Selman, the 55-year-old professor, figured that out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Apparently she decided to use her time in isolation to stave off loneliness and depression by establishing new routines. One way she did so was regularly calling and depending on a group of female friends.

The professor has even traveled down the road and back again to farmer’s markets where she has met new friends. Friendship has proven to be a game-changer for Selman. As the Gen Xer said, she’s happier now than she was before the pandemic.

Several Generation X solo dwellers have admitted to exploring various living options as they age. Many realize that although they’ve been able to live on their own so far, aging may change that in the future. Some people are even looking back to living arrangements they had in college and as young adults.

According to 56-year-old Patrick McComb, “I’ve been talking to friends about end-of-life issues and how we might want to get together.” The graphic designer of Riverview, Michigan went on to say that, “Being alone till the end would not be the worst thing in the world. But I would prefer to be with people.”

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As I’m sure most women on the planet can relate to, our relationship with our bodies, particularly our weight, is something we struggle with since the moment we played with a Barbie doll. Bombarded with images from magazines and movies, we internalized being thin with being worthy at a very young age.

Luckily, progress has been made in recent years to celebrate the curves, bumps, divots, jiggles, wiggles, and every other part of women’s bodies that is not only natural, but as it turns out, has helped us survive.

Recently a Suggest editor stumbled across an inspiring video from the social media influencer Chelsea Hart. Hart’s Instagram page is full of stories and commentary on a plethora of social issues, and in a recent post, they encouraged us to love our curves.

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A post shared by Chelsea Hart (@chelseahartisme)

According to Hart, a woman approached them to inquire about their workout routine, saying she wished her body looked like theirs and calling them “so lucky.” It should be noted that Hart is tall, thin, and has a somewhat athletic build.

“I did not like this!” said Hart in their Instagram video. “This energy where you compliment me at the expense of yourself—I rebuke it!”

Hart went on to explain that body types are mostly determined by genetics and that they personally inherited the physical traits of their biological father, a tall lanky man. Hart said their mother is “one of the healthiest eaters [they] know” yet has a “voluptuous” frame and is often “gaslit” by her doctors due to her body type.

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The video continued with Hart giving us a history lesson. “Many of your ancestors survived unimaginable famines and droughts,” they said. “And the only kind of [feature] that survive climates like those is an ability to retain fat—the very feature you are demonized for made you possible against impossible odds.”

They’re not wrong. In this 2019 study published in Cell Reports, professor and lead study author Ann Marie Schmidt said, “We discovered an anti-starvation mechanism that has become a curse in times of plenty because it sees cellular stress created by overeating as similar to stress created by starvation—and puts the brakes on our ability to burn fat.”

Basically, the trick our bodies used in times of old to keep us from starving to death can make it difficult for us to lose weight in modern times, even if we have plenty to eat. In short, Hart was right, and we should thank this bodily phenomenon for saving the lives of our ancestors, thus allowing us to live our marvelous lives today.

Hart finished her video by saying, “You are a walking, talking victory; your body is a miracle.” I think we could all use more of that kind of positivity when it comes to discussing our bodies.

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Life is stressful enough without stressing about what we do in our downtime. Even just trying to answer the question “What do you like to do for fun?” can make some people anxious. Maybe you were once a great photographer or phenomenal knitter, but life got in the way of things you used to enjoy.

Or perhaps you never took to any particular hobby. That’s okay too. You might not have the time, energy, or motivation to go on that hike, finish that scrapbook, or start on that memory quilt.

It turns out, maybe the idea that a hobby has to involve a certain skill is truly the root of anxiety around pastimes.

Why Do We Feel Anxious About The Idea Of Hobbies?

It can be hard to embrace a “hobby-less” life when your social media feeds are filled with friends who embroider, do woodwork, and bake beautiful pastries.

Even more so when it seems like everyone is turning their hobbies into a profitable side hustle—couldn’t we all use a little extra cash? But when hobbies morph into work, are they even still considered a hobby?

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And putting pressure on yourself to be the “best” at a particular art form is unproductive. Seeing these perfectly-curated Instagram pages from people who’ve spent countless hours honing their crafts might make you feel like you’re not “good” enough or “artsy” enough to even try, which can put you in an even bigger rut.

What Are Hobbies Anyway? 

According to Merriam-Webster, a hobby is “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation, engaged in especially for relaxation.” Okay, so binging a season of The Great British Baking Show while drinking copious amounts of hot tea technically counts, right?

Your hobby/hobbies don’t have to look a certain way, they just need to make you feel a certain way. And if watching television is your way of relaxing, then, by all means, claim that as your hobby!

Hobbies don’t have to require a lot of skill, practice, or creativity. Doing a puzzle, relaxing on the porch, or taking your dog for a walk are all equally valid. But it’s also okay if you don’t enjoy those activities or feel relaxed doing those things.

A Life Without Hobbies

So do we even need formal hobbies? We all remember the “hustle” culture that dominated before 2020—the burnout that many people experienced was palpable. And during the pandemic, many realized they needed to slow down and find joy in small things.

According to a 2009 study published in the National Library of Medicine, partaking in activities you enjoy can be good for your mental and physical health. But that doesn’t mean your hobbies have to be some elaborate, grand, or physically demanding undertaking. Choosing something simple to do in your spare time (granted you have some) is a great way to unwind.

You can meditate, take a nap, or listen to a podcast—as long as you feel relaxed, we (and Merriam-Webster!) say it counts as a hobby. So next time someone asks you, “What do you do for fun?” you can likely think of several things you enjoy.

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Memory is a powerful thing. It can make us laugh, cry, and often cringe. Our memory is also malleable. Even though you may not realize it, when you recall memories like your high school graduation, your first kiss, or your wedding day, your brain changes that memory just slightly. Information can be updated or lost, details can be filled in or changed.

“We’re inadvertently applying filters to our past experiences,” Boston University neuroscientist Steve Ramirez told The Brink. “Memory is less of a video recording of the past, and more reconstructive.”

Our memory’s malleable nature has its share of pros and cons. Remembering false details is obviously less than ideal. But having the ability to take the sting off scary or traumatic memories is a blessing. With that in mind, scientists at Boston University want to use this memory malleability to our advantage.

In a recent study, BU researchers explored the malleable nature of memories and how activating certain “positive” memories in the brain could lessen the emotional, mental, and physical effects of “negative” ones.

If we could use our positive emotional memories to overpower negative ones, this could potentially lead to new treatment methods for individuals with mental health issues like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Our million-dollar idea is, what if a solution for some of these mental disorders already exists in the brain? And what if memory is one way of getting there?” Ramirez posited in The Brink.

Where Do Positive And Negative Thoughts Take Place?

For years, Ramirez and his team have been studying memory in mice, and they’ve discovered where the brain stores positive and negative memories. Understanding where these memories exist—and being able to distinguish between the two—is an important step in treating memory-related disorders.

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Individual memories exist as networks of cells called engrams, and we store those memories in different areas across the brain. Ramirez’s lab focused particularly on those stored in the hippocampus, which as The Brink explains is “a cashew-shaped structure that stores sensory and emotional information important for forming and retrieving memories.”

In a new paper published in Communications Biology, Ramirez and his team of BU neuroscientists addressed the power of emotional memories. Their research found that our experiences—as well as the way we process those experiences—actually leave different physical footprints on the brain.

They mapped out all the genetic and molecular differences between positive and negative memory cells, finding that they’re mostly stored in different regions of the hippocampus. They also found that the two types of memories were quite distinct from each other and that they communicate with each other using different types of pathways.

“That’s pretty wild, because it suggests that these positive and negative memories have their own separate real estate in the brain,” Ramirez explained to The Brink. “So, there’s [potentially] a molecular basis for differentiating between positive and negative memories in the brain. We now have a bunch of markers that we know differentiate positive from negative in the hippocampus.”

How Do Scientists Activate These Memories?

The BU researchers used an advanced neuroscience tool called optogenetics, which is a method for tricking the brain cell receptors to respond to light. The first step was to make a memory by exposing the rodents to universally positive and negative experiences.

Once the mice formed new memories from those experiences, the researchers found the network of cells that held onto that experience and made that engram glow a certain color. Positive memory cell networks were green, while negatives were red or blue.

When they could see the memory, they used laser light to activate the cells. The amazing thing is that Ramirez’s team discovered they could also rewrite the negative memories by doing so.

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The researchers found that activating a positive memory, though not the only way to update a negative one, proved to be the most powerful. It also worked when they activated a neutral memory or the entire hippocampus.

“If you stimulate a lot of cells not necessarily tied to any type of memory, that can cause enough interference to disrupt the fear memory,” said the study’s lead author Stephanie Grella in The Brink.

What This Means For Mental Health Moving Forward

Artificially activating memories in humans isn’t possible, but that doesn’t mean this study isn’t beneficial. Grella said that the findings could translate to humans because you can ask people to recall something positive or negative, something you can’t do with mice.

Future research into stimulation of the human hippocampus—including experimental treatments involving psychedelic drugs like MDMA to rewrite traumatic memories—could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of severe depression or PTSD.

“The theme here is using some aspects of reward and positivity to rewrite the negative components of our past,” Ramirez told The Brink.

The research will continue on the benefits of memory manipulation, and Ramirez and his team are working to push boundaries even further. He said they’re seeking game-changing ideas that can transform medicine, with the ultimate goal of finding solutions “way more effective” than the treatment options currently available to us.

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Tattoos are notoriously painful. They require large needles, blood is typical, and they can take hours to complete. The healing process can be long and a bit painful as well.

But tattoos aren’t just for decoration—they can also cover up scars, guide cancer radiation treatments, or restore nipples after breast surgery. Tattoos can also act as medical alerts instead of bracelets for patients with diabetes, epilepsy, or serious allergies.

So a group of scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology set out to find an easier way to administer them.

How Does A Painless Tattoo Work?

Modern tattoo machines use electromagnetic force that moves needles at a high frequency—up to several thousand times per minute—in and out of the skin as they deposit liquid ink. The needles penetrate into the skin from a few hundred micrometers up to two millimeters.

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In addition to pain, adverse effects of tattooing can include skin reactions and infection.

Doctors were already using microneedle patch technology for minimally invasive drug delivery that eliminates biohazardous sharps waste and causes little or no pain or bleeding. The patches are inexpensive and require minimal training to administer.

So the Georgia Tech researchers took that microneedle patch concept and made it into a tiny tattoo machine. Each microneedle on the patch represents a dot or pixel in an image. They used single-color, multi-color, changing-color, and ultraviolet-visible tattoo inks to create tattoo symbols, numbers, letters, and other medical/decorative images applied to the skin.

After applying the patch to the skin for just a few minutes, microneedles deliver their ink and then dissolve.

“We’ve miniaturized the needle so that it’s painless, but still effectively deposits tattoo ink in the skin,” wrote researcher Mark Prausnitz, principal investigator on the paper which was published in the open source journal iScience. “This could be a way not only to make medical tattoos more accessible, but also to create new opportunities for cosmetic tattoos because of the ease of administration.”

They tested the tattoos on rats and followed up after a year. The tattoos remained intact with minimal distortion—similar to the changes that happen with tattoos as humans age and bodies change.

The Potential Uses Of Microneedle Ink

The tattoos could be useful in human medicine, for example, in vaccine delivery that displays the year of the injection. The researchers tested the concept by tattooing the number 20 on a rat. They also created hearts, stars, and QR codes.

They also tested tattoos that were visible only when exposed to light and heat, and the scientists wrote that they could create similar tattoos that respond to glucose levels or other stimuli that would be useful to people with diabetes or other health issues.

The technology could also encode information in the skin of animals in place of clipping the ear or applying an ear tag.

The art of the microneedle tattoo process may not yet be at a level that would satisfy most tattoo enthusiasts, and the scientists acknowledge they may never emulate the artistry of skilled tattooists.

“The goal isn’t to replace all tattoos, which are often works of beauty created by tattoo artists,” Prausnitz wrote. “Our goal is to create new opportunities for patients, pets, and people who want a painless tattoo that can be easily administered.”

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Since the dawn of humankind, women have been life bearers and sustainers. The role of women varies between cultures and historical eras, but in our culture, bearing life has been tied to expectations of softer attributes: compassion, patience, empathy, etc.

Men, on the other hand, are supposed to be action-oriented: dominant, assertive, and hard-working, for example. And while anger isn’t exactly a desirable trait for either gender in most cultures, it’s much more accepted for men.

Anger doesn’t fit into the stereotypical attributes expected of women. Society teaches women to be easygoing and personable—anything but angry. From the witch trials of Salem to the vilification of female celebs today, the patriarchy has told women to suppress emotions for centuries.

Here’s why you unequivocally should stop doing that sh*t.

The Origins Of The Demure Femme

The origin of the patriarchy is murky at best. According to The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of Women in Prehistory, humankind’s history bears little resemblance to the mammoth-hunting men and timid plant-gathering women often portrayed in classrooms. And while it’s true some cultures have revered women more than others, the patriarchy in which we find ourselves today did not root itself in these customs.

On the contrary, American patriarchy is largely based on religious ideals and institutional sexism. After all, how could a country that only granted women financial independence 48 years ago be anything but a patriarchy? Misogynistic values dominate the media, professional fields, the legal system, and more. Though things have improved for women in recent decades, the United States is still a patriarchy through and through.

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With that comes a certain set of expectations for women: Maintain the house, keep the man happy, don’t rock the boat, and don’t step out of turn. We all know what that looks like. It’s the boss passing over your ideas for no reason or a stranger on the street demanding you to smile. It looks like someone telling you, ‘no one will like you if you’re too bossy,’ as a young girl.

Fighting Back Against The Double Standards

The influence of this way of thinking is overwhelming. Nevertheless, many women have stood up to patriarchy. From the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s to the #MeToo movement of the late 2010s, women have pushed against misogynistic double standards both en masse and independently over the years.

Despite Christine Blasey Ford’s calm demeanor when she testified against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Ford was bullied by the media. Meanwhile, Kavanaugh delivered an over-the-top emotional testimony. Had Ford followed suit, her behavior certainly would have been deemed untrustworthy, hysterical, or both, and probably much worse.

Similarly, when Serena Williams demanded respect from a referee, she was vilified. She was accused of disrespecting a game to which she’s devoted virtually her whole life. Meanwhile, other male athletes who have done the same were praised for their no-nonsense grit.

Of course, we don’t need high-profile figures to illustrate the point for us. How many times has your assertiveness rewarded you with a five-letter word that starts with a B? How often have you been told to calm down—perhaps even that you were being hysterical? Women are socialized to suppress their anger, but where does it go when we do?

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The Power Behind ‘Hell Hath No Fury’

Anger doesn’t dissipate because society tells us it’s un-ladylike, and maybe that’s a good thing. According to Soraya Chemaly’s book Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger, there is great strength in these emotions. There’s a reason “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” is so ubiquitous: it’s true. 

Jill Suttie outlines the main points of Rage Becomes Her in Greater Good Magazine. She writes, “anger is what psychologists call an activating emotion—one that propels us to engage rather than withdraw. Anger, not sadness, is a way to actively make change and confront challenges. It leads to perceptions of higher status and respect.”

“Anger makes people visible,” Suttie continues. “Repressing anger reinforces invisibility.” And that’s the exact opposite of what women need to be. Chemaly’s book outlines productive ways to channel that anger, including cultivating communities, trusting other women, and practicing ongoing mindfulness.

Why You Should Stay Angry, Aggressive, And Assertive

Whether political, social, or personal, there are many reasons why women should absolutely stay angry. But perhaps the most important reason is their health. “Suppressed, repressed, diverted, and ignored anger is now understood as a factor in many ‘women’s illnesses,’ including disordered eating, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, and pain,” Chemaly writes in a 2019 Guardian article.

Female anger is protective, too—just think of the ‘mama bear’ stereotype. In a country rife with domestic violence, child abuse, and other injustices, women’s anger can catalyze political, social, and legal change. Female anger creates new legislation, philanthropies, and foundations.

The COVID-19 pandemic shone a glaring light on gender disparities that have existed for decades. As we delve further into our post-COVID world, it’s our responsibility to keep the lights on. We have come a long way from the days when our grandmothers couldn’t even vote, but we have so much further to go. 

And if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s this: we will only get there by the light of our internal flames, burning with righteous anger, tough love, and divine feminist empowerment.

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Confession: I’ve always been a little hot-tempered, even in childhood. I’ve blamed my fiery disposition on my Leo sun sign, stressful schedules, and, if I’m being honest, on people around me. My disposition was my own, yet its cause was not. 

Anger was a difficult emotion for me to deal with, so I was trying to push the responsibility onto something else. “I’m not an angry person,” I would tell myself. “Things are just making me angry.” Did it talk me down? Kind of. Did it address the root problem? Nope.

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Because frankly, I was an angry person. I’m far too familiar with the hot surge of shaking hands, a twisted stomach, and flushed cheeks. But it wasn’t until I heard a quote by Eckhart Tolle that I finally started to look at that feeling differently.

Where There’s Anger, There’s Pain

Author, activist, and meditation teacher Barb Schmidt recently shared a powerful quote with her Instagram followers. The words of wisdom came from self-help author Eckhart Tolle, who penned The New York Times #1 Bestseller and Oprah’s Book Club pick A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.

Schmidt begins by admitting that she, too, was resistant when she first heard it. Tolle’s quote states, “where there is anger, there is always pain underneath.”

“Think about that for a moment,” Schmidt continues. “The next time you are feeling angry, be curious about the pain that might be underneath. What is your anger trying to show you?”

She cites another quote, this one from an old Buddhist saying: “Holding onto anger is like squeezing a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. But you are the one who gets burned.”

“When I was younger, I held onto my anger, thinking it would protect me,” Schmidt explains. “I’ve learned that anger actually shines the light. Anger is the thread that leads you to the pain.”

How This Quote Changed It All

My hotheadedness doesn’t stop me from looking back on those moments shamefully. I feel guilty for letting my emotions get the best of my words, actions, and thoughts. Ironically, I get angry and frustrated over my anger and frustration. 

But after hearing that quote, I started to flip back through my Rolodex of these moments. And upon closer inspection, the root causes were painfully clear. Oftentimes, I was overwhelmed, insecure, or anxious. Other times, I felt betrayed or unheard. 

Suddenly, my shame turned into pity. I pitied the version of myself that couldn’t see the sensitive, passive emotions lurking beneath my harsh, aggressive ones. It brought new clarity to my situations, interactions, and innermost thoughts. 

Similarly, it did the same for my perception of others’ anger. Despite being hot-tempered myself, being around other angry people would put me irreversibly on edge. With this new perspective, I can better empathize (and deflect) the anger of others. Instead of seeing irrational ire, I see hurt—a much more vulnerable and less intimidating emotion. 

To be clear, I’m not anger-free. My anger just looks different. What once were wildfire blazes of emotion are now manageable warning flares. Rather than consuming my day and burning bridges, these flares reveal a deeper problem to address. 

And if you often find yourself overwhelmed or ashamed of your anger (or incapable of dealing with it in others), then this quote might help you, too.

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Thinking positively is easier said than done. Life isn’t perfect, nor are we. Things can and often do go wrong. Negative experiences are an inevitable part of existence—it’s simply part of the deal. 

A large percentage of popular mental health advice centers around the opposite: positivity. We’re supposed to practice self-compassion, talk highly of ourselves, and avoid negative statements. 

While that sounds good on paper, these trite quips usually come up short in real life. The hollow positive talk only emphasizes how much we’d like to stay on the negative, and the cycle continues. 

And according to TikToker and certified mental health coach Amanda Armstrong, there’s a reason why all of that positivity hasn’t been helping you.

Take Baby Steps, Not Giant Leaps

Positive thinking requires the individual to ignore reality. If you can’t readily find the positive in a situation, there might not be any. Some situations have little positivity to share, which makes overt optimism look like a lie. 

Moreover, positivity can quickly become dismissive, turning into “toxic positivity.” Toxic positivity is generally well-intentioned, but it doesn’t come from an empathetic place. It focuses on removing or avoiding negativity at all costs, which, unfortunately, is impossible. 

“Going from a negative to a positive thought is too big a leap,” Armstrong explains. “Your brain has way too much evidence that your negative thought is more true. Instead, try making a neutral observation statement.

Don’t Think Positive, Think Neutral

These neutral observation statements have several benefits. To start, neutrality is closer to negativity than positivity. Since the shift in mindset is smaller, it can feel more manageable. When your brain is in fight or flight mode, easier is always best. 

Additionally, a neutral statement adds objectivity to a situation. Positive and negative self-talk is inherently emotional—there’s no way around it. Neutrality, however, is impartial. It’s easier to see the bigger picture from this faraway perspective. 

So, what does a neutral observation statement sound like?

Keep It Simple And Straightforward

“If your brain says, ‘I hate my body,’ replace that thought with, ‘I have a body,’” Armstrong says. “If your brain thinks, ‘I’m just never going to get over anxiety,’ think, ‘this is a high anxiety moment.’”

“Ugh, this is the worst day!” She suggests changing it to “‘I just had a hard conversation with my boss.’ If you can take a moment to catch that thought, regulate by taking a deep breath or distracting yourself for a moment, and then turn it into a neutral observation statement, you can stop that downward spiral.” 

In a culture that denounces negativity while simultaneously exacerbating it, feeling like you’re “failing” at your mental health is all too easy. And truthfully, a life without any negativity would probably be insufferably bland. 

But when that negativity gets to be too much, don’t think positive; think neutral.

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Social media is nothing if not a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it connects, inspires, and informs us. But on the other, it’s a breeding ground for toxic behaviors like bullying and self-deprecation.

Armed with this information, we peruse social media at our own risk. Regardless of whether we’re aware of it, we accept the potential downfalls in exchange for an unencumbered user experience. 

Sometimes, we find solutions to common problems. We “silence” people instead of blocking them. Additionally, we participate in empowering hashtag campaigns and thoughtfully curate our feeds’ content. 

Currently, we seem to be trying out a new “solution” to harmful social media filters. However, this workaround seems annoying at best and counterproductive at worst.

The Effects Of Social Media Filters

We’ve come a long way from the high contrast, high saturation photo filters of the mid-aughts. Indeed, face filters have continued to grow more whimsical, wacky, and, in many cases, harder to detect. 

Research has found these filters to be incredibly damaging to the human psyche. They diminish our self-esteem and encourage unhealthy body standards. These filters give us an open invitation to ruminate and “correct” perceived flaws. But of course, not all filters damage equally. 

Some filters are purely comical, like those that turn your head into a pickle. Others alter the light or color, changing the overall aesthetic, not you. It’s the subtle, cat-eyed, slim-nosed, big-lipped filters that are doing the actual damage. 

Scientists have aptly named this phenomenon Snapchat Dysmorphia, referring to the many face-altering filters the app offers. Their influence has gone so far, in fact, that people have started taking filtered photographs to plastic surgeons as reference images.

Filters Seem To Be Here To Stay

Despite their damaging effects, face-altering filters don’t seem to be going anywhere. And really, why would they? Social media thrives off the destructive, addictive patterns we fall into online. 

If anything, facial filters have only gotten more discreet, alienating, and damaging. The latest filter trend appears to be variations of the same, distinct look. These filters narrow, lift, and enhance the eyes. They also plump the lips, narrow the nose, and lighten skin. 

These filters—labeled things like Fox, Like Gigi, and others—are designed to not look like filters. The overall effect on the image is so subtle that it’s easy to assume the subject isn’t using a filter at all. Unsurprisingly, this only worsens their adverse effects. 

Conspicuous filters do enough damage as it is by promoting unrealistic beauty standards. By making them even more discreet, we reinforce this idea tenfold. We wonder how so many people could look picture perfect with no filter because we can’t tell one is there. 

Rather than ignoring these filter options altogether, we’ve opted for an even more inefficient approach.

‘This Doesn’t Even Look Like Me’

Over the past several months, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend cycling through my newsfeed. Maybe you have, too. We seem to be using more of these harmful filters—not less. Even worse, we seem to be missing the sheer irony of our using them.

Though the videos may vary slightly, the general idea is the same. Women will post a selfie video using a face-altering filter. They’ll say it’s “such a Catfish filter” or “this doesn’t even look like me.” 

The selfie-taker will coo into the camera about how different they look. Both the viewer and the subject are locked in on the filtered face. (Thanks, front-facing cameras.) But after 20 seconds, are you really calling out the filter? Or, are you enjoying your “new” look and sharing it for all the world to see and envy? 

Perhaps this assumption gives them too much confidence. Maybe the people taking these videos are participating in some good ol’ self-deprecation. “Look at me with this filter. Now, look at me without it! Oof!” Still, is guffawing at your appearance that much healthier?

Finding An Actual Solution

This social media trend is harmful for several reasons. To start, it circulates these filters far and wide. We make the filters more accessible to users of all ages and mental health states. When we give something so much ubiquity, we only enhance its power. 

Further, there doesn’t seem to be a feasible end goal for the viewer or poster. These videos still give viewers a healthy dose of beauty standard reinforcement. And what about the videos that reveal a “worse” face at the end? How should the viewer internalize this message if they look more like the unfiltered, oof-inducing face? 

Moreover, what purpose does this serve for the poster? Is dogging on yourself the way to boost confidence? Is observing your face with a filter any better for your self-esteem? Aren’t you reinforcing the beauty standards you claim to condone?

If we want to take these filters’ power away, then we have to stop helping them pervade our newsfeeds. Whether it’s in jest or not, why use the filters at all? How will we ever be comfortable celebrating ourselves if we never try? 

Indeed, the best way to denounce these filters is to stop using them. Share your face in all of its realistically, wonderfully flawed glory. We shouldn’t have to try to squeeze into the confines of “beauty.” Instead, beauty should wrap around the perimeter of humanity, encompassing all of us in our many unique, distinct forms. 

You’re right; your filtered face doesn’t look like you. And frankly, that’s something to celebrate.

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Throughout our lives, everyone has wants, desires, and things that they wish they could achieve. But have you ever considered that your ideal reality might be one symbol away? Whether you’re a spirituality guru or a total newbie in the world of manifestation, sigils may be the next step you need to make your wishes a reality.

“Sigil” is really just another word for “symbol.” Sigils are symbols that you create with a specific intention in mind. You can then use them to alter your reality and manifest major changes in your life. Pretty much anything you want to achieve or change can be translated into a sigil. For example, love, money, or career success are common things to manifest. You could manifest major life changes like finding a new place to live, or you could seek personal growth, like more confidence, a greater sense of calmness, or more willpower. Some people even use sigils to call on a god or archangel. 

Why Use A Sigil For Spells?

The functionality of sigils is linked with the notion that we have the ability to manifest and change our own realities (so long as the changes are reasonably aligned with our destiny). Creating your sigil is a way to use creativity and activity to enhance your spiritual journey, as it combines art and magic. Each individual sigil is created with a specific power in mind. You can choose to have your sigil help you achieve a career change, spark a new romance, help you enforce a boundary or anything else you may need. For any life change you seek, a sigil can help you manifest it.

So, creating a basic symbol can help you manifest pretty much anything? Sounds too good to be true. In reality, it takes a bit more work than that. Creating a sigil isn’t all about making a wish and waiting for it to come true. You need to be intentional about your spiritual work and what you want to get out of it.

Setting Intentions

When starting your work with a sigil, you should first set an intention. When considering what it is you want to manifest, you should try to create an intention that’s clear and specific without being too convoluted. Try starting your intention with “I want…,” “I need…,” or “I desire.” If you’d rather, you can simply state what it is that you’re looking for. For example, write “better work-life balance,” rather than “more balance.” Or, you can try “more confidence around my crush,” instead of “more confidence.”

You might be thinking, “I don’t believe in magic or witchcraft; this doesn’t sound realistic.” And we get it! The reality is that sigils aren’t magic, per se. Rather, sigils unlock what’s hidden in your unconscious mind. Sigils are a tool to help you manifest your desires; they’re not actually like making a wish on a shooting star or when the clock strikes 11:11. Manifesting your wants and desires is always possible, but more often than not, your conscious mind, doubts, and reservations get in the way of your ability to manifest.

Sigils strip away many of the things that make manifestation difficult. They eliminate the need for words that may leave you tongue-tied or thoughts that can become complicated and emotional. Instead, they boil your desire down to a simple symbol and a specific, pointed intention.

The Different Types Of Sigils

How you want to design your sigil is up to your creativity and what speaks to you. The symbol needs to represent you and your desire, so it doesn’t need to be something that would make sense to anyone else. There are many different types of sigils, but here are a few common types to get you started.

Word Sigils

People have been creating word sigils since the 1800s, and they’re one of the simplest and most intuitive types of sigil you can make. To create a word sigil, start by identifying your intention. Avoid using negative words, and instead, opt for positive and specific language. Present tense statements can also improve your intention. For example, instead of saying something like, “I wish I wasn’t so anxious about meeting new people,” try, “I am calm and confident in social situations.” Once you’ve chosen your intention, write it down, and remove vowels. Arrange the remaining letters into a symbol that speaks to you. Avoid getting too hung up on its aesthetic beauty, and instead, create a symbol that looks the way you want it to. And, don’t be afraid to add artistic touches as you see fit.

Pictorial Sigils

Pictorial sigils remove the need for words to communicate your intentions, and some believe that this strengthens the sigil’s route to your unconscious mind. You can design your pictorial sigil to be literal: like a dollar sign if you’re hoping for monetary success. Or, you can opt for something more symbolic: like a wave or the moon. You can also add letters or statements to your pictorial sigils. Relax, have fun with it, and let your intention guide you.

Automatic Writing Sigils

This method focuses on how you feel, rather than using your creativity. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing and your intention while you draw on a piece of paper. Make sure that you have a loose grip on your pen or pencil and mark your paper freely.

Magic Circles

Magic circles are another great way to create a unique symbol without the need for creativity. To create this sigil, draw a circle, and write the alphabet lining the inside of the circle. Think of your intention (and feel free to eliminate vowels if it’s particularly long.) Then draw a line connecting the letters of the alphabet inside the circle to spell out your intention. Once you erase the outer circle and letters, you are left with a unique, angular symbol that you can use as your sigil.

How To Use A Sigil In A Spell

Once you’ve chosen which method is right for you and created your sigil, you need to activate it. This is how you infuse your sigil with energy. Most people will choose to meditate, connecting their focused unconscious mind to the sigil. Others prefer to use more extreme methods, like anointing the sigil with moon water, carrying it in your pocket, looking at it while orgasming or dancing, or even burying it in the ground. Some people choose to destroy the sigil by burning it, tearing it, throwing it into the water, or even erasing a pencil-drawn sigil.

Now that you’ve designed your sigil experience, it’s time to get into it.

Choose a Quiet Location

Your sigil needs a direct route to your subconscious in order to be effective. For this reason, you need to stay focused and free of distractions while activating your sigil. Set your phone to ‘do not disturb,’ and find a location that you know will be quiet and free from disruptions. If you have access to a sacred place or altar, that’s a great place to activate your sigil. There’s no need for anything fancy if you don’t already have it. 

Close Your Eyes

If you’ve mastered meditation, now is a good time to put those skills to use. If you’re like the rest of us and find meditation to be a struggle, just start by closing your eyes. Keep your eyes close and focus on your inhaling and exhaling. Keep doing this until you feel relaxed and focused.

Make Contact With Your Sigil

When you’re ready, you can open your eyes, pick up your sigil, and stare at it. It’s up to you whether you hold it close to your face or far away. Stare at your sigil for a few minutes and lose yourself in the image.

Activate Your Sigil.

Now is the time to use your activation method of choice. Whichever method you choose, be sure to imagine that your mind is emptying as your sigil is activating.

Release

Now the work is out of your hands, and it’s time for the sigil to do its job. Trust the sigil, and try your best to put the manifesting out of your mind.

After you’re finished creating your sigil, you’ll probably wonder when it will take effect. Rather than wondering, worrying, or checking up on it, try trusting the process and letting your sigil alone to do its work. Creating a sigil journal to record the intentions you’ve used and how they’ve come to life for you can be helpful in your sigil process. Good luck and happy manifesting!

An aura is like a field of energy that surrounds a person and that is associated with a specific color. The color may change from time to time, based on someone’s mood, traits, and vibe, and there are ways to try and read your own aura. One involves standing in front of a mirror, staring at your forehead, and then searching around your head and shoulders for a certain hue. Another option is to look at your hands for one minute and then see if a specific shade seems to be radiating off of them. 

At times, people will have indigo auras. What is the meaning behind this? Specifically, what does it mean for a woman if her aura is an indigo-colored one? As a mix of violet and blue, this is a rare color to see. The two come together, increasing the strengths associated with an indigo aura. Furthermore, this color has one of the highest frequencies of vibrational energy, making it extra powerful. 

The Indigo Aura Personality

This powerful aura color is also associated with attributes such as intuitiveness, wisdom, creativity, and compassion, and variations in the coloring can represent further traits. A bright and clear one probably means the person is psychic, while a dark shading could signify being self-absorbed. A muddy version indicates a connection to the spiritual realm, and lavender is associated with healing. 

Women with indigo auras have a deep understanding of themselves, those around them, and the world, which leads to them being caring and inspiring. This color is found in those who are vulnerable and introverted and who face any bumps in the road head-on…yet all in a quiet and graceful way. Of course, the magical and intuitive nature of this color is important, as well, with a peaceful side that easily connects to the spiritual world. In fact, when an indigo aura is seen early on in one’s life, the person may belong to a group referred to as indigo children, a group of people that may have lived past lives, that possess psychic abilities, and that spread peace. An aura that is indigo can even show that someone is an empath and/or that someone knows how to read other people’s auras.  

Some negative characteristics can come along with an indigo aura, though, as the high levels of sensitivity cause them to feel stressed out and overwhelmed. Feeling other people’s negative emotions only increases this. That being said, it is common for these types to be caught daydreaming, as they attempt to run away from real-world problems. 

The Indigo Aura And The Third-Eye Chakra

Just as each person out there has an aura color, each color has a chakra, and for indigo, that is the third-eye chakra. It is also called the Anja, found between the eyes, and helps connect the inner and outer world.

The third-eye chakra is all about intuition, being sensitive to others, and picking up on energies. That is why having an indigo aura means you, more than likely, have some psychic abilities. On the other hand, a blocked third-eye chakra can lead to a loss of these abilities, along with headaches and hearing problems. To balance everything out again, one may meditate, spend time in nature, do something creative, and/or focus on what an indigo aura does best: caring for others. 

The Love Life Of An Indigo Aura

An indigo aura meaning can give clues about romantic relationships, as well. The compassion and devotion that a woman with an indigo-colored aura puts into other areas of her life will also be seen in this department.   

While these types are accepting of all, they will take the necessary time before committing to someone. Once they are in, though, they are in it for the long haul. Having an indigo aura as a partner means having devotion and honesty. It means having someone who expects kindness (like the kind they give) and who is also forgiving. It means having a significant other who is in tune with every part of you, who longs for more adventures with you, and who is here for a genuine and deep relationship. 

It should also be noted that people with indigo auras make their loved ones feel special, like spending time with those who share their priorities or viewpoints, and usually end up with individuals who grow and change with them, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and beyond.

Careers For Indigo Auras

If a woman has an aura that is indigo, she needs a job that compliments this. While her calm and kind ways could make her a good boss and her need to not rock the boat means she will always follow the rules without complaints, what this type really needs is their own business. 

Yes, an indigo aura indicates a reliable and honest hard worker who could easily run things as, say, a self-employed artist or a freelance musician. Other suitable career paths, based on the personality traits associated with this color, include writing, counseling, and working with those in need, such as animals or children. 

Whatever career path is taken, one with an indigo aura will find that things come easily to them. They can pick up any new role or task, without the fear that can sometimes come with starting over. And while wisdom and hard work can lead to a successful life as, for example, an entrepreneur, these types are never in it just for the money. In fact, a good portion of their income will surely be given away and donated, in order to help those who are less fortunate.  

All in all, an indigo aura means that these people need meaningful and enjoyable jobs that allow them to chase their dreams and passions.

The Indigo Aura Aesthetic

One other area that can be explored, based on the color of your aura, is aesthetics. A woman this creative needs to wear outfits, choose home decor, and live a life that expresses that! Therefore, a person with an indigo aura may color their hair in a fun way or may have unique body art or piercings. They probably fill their house with colorful knick-knacks and pieces of art, which echo their personality. And these types of people will definitely show off one-of-a-kind style and eclectic ensembles to the world. 

It should be noted that these fashion choices will, in turn, affect others. A friend or coworker will see a woman with an indigo-colored aura boosting her own mood with happy outfits, and they will want to replicate that. This goes back to a primary strength found in those with auras that are indigo: In all that they do, they seek to make the world a better place and to help inspire those around them.

You’ve probably heard of auras before, but what do you know about your own? Your aura is the energy field surrounding you at all times. Every living being has this colorful cloud of energy around them, but of course, we can’t see them with the naked eye. Auras usually consist of many different colors, and each color has its own unique meaning. Once you identify the dominant color in your aura, you can start reaping the benefits of knowing what your energy means.

The Different Aura Colors

Auras can include any color of the rainbow, and each has a very specific meaning, even down to the unique shade. These are the basic colors of auras, but aura reading gets way more specific than this. Red auras represent passion. Creative folks often have orange auras. A yellow aura shows that you have a lot of energy. Green auras are all about abundance. Blue auras indicate tranquility. Indigo auras are associated with being intuitive. And, violet auras are all about spirituality.

Finding Your Aura

As cool as it would be to see everyone’s colorful energy cloud, we can’t see peoples’ auras as soon as we look at them. So, if you can’t actually see what color your aura is, how do you figure it out?

There are actually a few different ways of determining the dominant color in your aura. The best way is to get your aura portrait done by a professional. This will give you the most thorough read of your aura because you’ll determine all of the colors in your aura instead of just the dominant one. This will give you a more tailored read of your energy. You’ll also get to see what your aura looks like, which is pretty cool. If you’d prefer to go a quicker route to start, you can learn how to read your own aura, or you can check out one of the many quizzes online.

The Green Aura Personality

Once you’ve determined your dominant aura color, you can get to work learning much more about your energy. So, now you know that you have a green aura. It’s time to figure out what exactly that means. Green is the color of plants and nature, which makes you feel very connected to the outdoors. Like plants, growth and change are important to you. You’re determined, and you can be a perfectionist, at times. This makes you down-to-earth and keeps you away from impractical ideas. You have very creative energy, but it may not manifest itself in the traditional ways. Rather, you use practical methods to achieve aesthetics you like: like home decor or fashion.

Weaknesses of Green Auras

Each aura has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. So, what are the things that folks with green auras tend to struggle with? Ever heard the expression“green with envy?” Well, green represents jealousy for a reason. Folks with green auras tend to get jealous, and it can make them withholding and protective, as well as causing them to build up resentment over time.

People with green auras also tend to be people pleasers. They’ll go out of their way for the people in their lives, and if they don’t get that same energy back, it can be upsetting. Folks who struggle with this can benefit greatly from deliberate and focused boundary-setting.

The Green Aura And The Heart Chakra

If you’re not familiar with what chakras are, they’re the main energy centers in your body. There are seven chakras, which begin at the base of your spine and go up through your head. Each chakra links with a specific color. If you’ve never heard of chakras before, chances are that balancing, unblocking, or healing the chakras that need it could be the key to making you feel better emotionally and physically. Since chakras are all about energy, each chakra and its unique color coordinates with an aura. 

The green aura connects to the heart chakra. The heart chakra is about being open to other people and the world around you. It’s associated with healing, growth, vulnerability, and self-expression. If your heart chakra is blocked, you’re likely unconsciously closed off from giving love to others as well as receiving love. Healing your heart chakra can help you move on from the past, heal from trauma and pain, and become open to letting what you need come into your life.

The Love Life Of A Green Aura

Due to their close connection to the heart chakra, folks with green auras do well when it comes to matters of the heart. Love and relationships are areas where you tend to excel. You are loving, loyal, and devoted. This makes you a great partner. Another trait that makes you a wonderful partner is your calming presence. You tend to be balanced and serene, and this can be very comforting for others, especially your partner. 

Since you can struggle with people-pleasing and over-extending yourself to meet others’ needs, this is an especially pertinent problem in romantic relationships. Your devotion to your partner and attention to their needs are positive things, but pay close attention to ensuring that you meet your own needs when you’re in a relationship.

When it comes to seeking a partner, it’s important to find someone who values stability and balance as much as you do. You can also benefit from being with someone especially thoughtful, caring, and even creative, like folks with yellow auras. Alternatively, people with orange auras tend to be adventurous. This is a great fit for you since you will both enjoy trying new things and getting out in nature. 

Careers For Green Auras

Your green aura makes you all about healing, achieving balance, and reaching for personal growth. When it comes to your career, helping others to do this will be fulfilling to you. Look for a career that allows you to help others, like becoming a doctor, veterinarian, counselor, therapist, or teacher. Your love of growth and change will also benefit you in the workplace. You’ll be great at setting your own goals. You’ll also be able to come up with innovative and creative new ideas.

The Green Aura Aesthetic

You love the outdoors, as well as stability and comfort. You also find aesthetics important, especially in practical ways. It’s easy to create a wardrobe that is harmonious with these attributes. Make sure you have comfortable pieces that are in the style you like. So, go for comfy but cute boots and sneakers. Find comfortable sweatpants that you can dress up or down. Invest in pieces that are perfect for both the great outdoors and relaxing inside. A wardrobe that matches your energy will add to your signature inner peace.

Has anyone ever told you that you give off a certain kind of energy? Or that you have a specific vibe? In all likelihood, they were referring to your aura, which is an invisible field of energy that’s believed to surround all living things. Your aura vibrates at different frequencies depending on how you feel, and those vibrations (aka your vibes) give off colors. While a person’s aura color can change, most people have at least one or two colors that appear fairly consistently and reflect common aspects of their personality and emotional state.

All aura colors impact a person’s mood and personality in different ways. The gray aura meaning can sometimes be tricky to pinpoint because it’s a neutral color and its implications can vary depending on the lightness and darkness of the shade. In this post, we’ll dive into the general personality traits of women with gray auras, as well as what the color means for love, career ambitions, and other important milestones.

The Gray Aura Personality

Women with gray auras tend to be deep thinkers who are wise and intellectually mature. Typically, they are level-headed people that have an uncanny ability to remain fair and impartial in tough, politically-charged situations, especially those involving family and friends. While some people with gray auras may be perceived as cold or unemotional, this isn’t necessarily the case. Most of the time, it’s just their stoicism being mistaken for apathy—deep down, they are caring, kind, and patient people.

Often looked at as “old souls,” women with gray auras tend to be quiet and keep to themselves, mostly as a measure of protection. They do their best to steer clear of discomfort—both emotional and physical—which is why they tend to avoid uncertain situations and stressful encounters as much as they possibly can. This is one of the reasons why it can be hard to get close to people with gray auras and why they are sometimes regarded as closed off and detached.

Many personality traits of the gray aura vary depending on the intensity of the shade. Women with dark gray auras tend to be loners who are naturally distrusting and skeptical of people they do not know well. While they can be loyal and loving friends, it’s not easy getting close to them and it takes time to earn their respect and trust. They are often seen as mysterious people who are unpredictable and difficult to read.

People with dark gray auras also have trouble looking on the bright side of life. Their natural inclination is to see the glass half empty rather than half full, and it takes quite a bit of time and effort for them to change their opinions about people, places, or things that they perceive to be negative.

A light gray aura, on the other hand, signifies movement and a willingness for change. Often, women with light gray auras are in periods of transition, moving from darker periods in their lives into ones that are brighter and have more hope. They’re often unsure of their feelings about themselves and the world around them and are still working on finding themselves or are in the process of some other kind of emotional or spiritual transformation.

The Gray Aura And Sacral Chakra

Like auras, chakras are invisible energy fields. But rather than surround your body, they exist inside your body at points along the spine ranging from the base to the crown of the head. Chakras have colors that correspond to different vibrational frequencies and learning to identify and understand the meaning of these colors can help you clear blocked chakras and restore balance to the body. While gray does not correspond to a specific chakra, it can sometimes appear over the sacral chakra, which is thought to be located below the navel and connected to our sex organs and our kidneys.

When gray is present in the sacral chakra (typically light gray), it usually indicates that a woman is menstruating. It can also signal a physical issue or disturbance of some kind, such as cramping or infection.

The Love Life Of A Gray Aura

Women with gray auras tend to be experiencing difficulty when it comes to their love lives. Because the color signifies transition, its presence often means a person is going through a breakup or experiencing some other significant shift in their primary romantic relationship. It may also mean that they currently have no significant romantic attachments in their lives, whether due to circumstance or by choice.

This is another area where an aura’s shade of gray is significant. Because people with dark gray auras tend to have negative attitudes, they may find themselves unlucky in love because they never take any chances. Rather than risk rejection and heartbreak, they may choose to keep themselves closed off from love and avoid any kind of relationship that puts them at risk and makes them feel vulnerable.

Gray auras can also appear when a person is grieving the loss of a partner and is not yet ready to move on is incapable of forming a new romantic attachment. Most of the time this is temporary, and the hope is that the shade will eventually shift when the time is right.

Generally speaking, women with gray auras should wait until the color lightens or changes completely before jumping into a new relationship. If they are unhappy and currently involved in a relationship that’s rife with conflict, they can use the shade of their gray aura to help them decide what to do. The lighter the gray, the more open and willing they are to work toward a resolution with time and effort. The darker the gray, the more difficult it will be to heal hurt feelings and repair the rifts.

Careers For Gray Auras

Women with gray auras tend to be highly intelligent and hardworking, which means they have the potential to be successful in almost any professional area they devote themselves to. That said, their stoic personality and desire to be alone means they typically don’t enjoy jobs that require a great deal of socializing and schmoozing, such as PR or politics.

Instead, gray auras thrive in solo environments and love tasks that require deep thought and concentration. They may make excellent accountants, philosophers, writers, translators, editors, graphic designers, research scientists, and data processors. They may also enjoy jobs that are more physically demanding but still accommodate their solo nature, such as travel photography, mountain climbing, or truck driving.

Because women with gray auras are often in periods of transition, they may have difficulty working a typical nine-to-five job or making a long-term commitment to a specific career. As a result, gray auras often do well in freelance positions and/or as contract workers who bounce from gig to gig. Those with lighter gray auras may be more open to jobs that involve some level of socialization (i.e. dog walking, waiting tables, babysitting, temp-working at an office, etc.), as long as the schedule is flexible and they do not have to be around people 24/7.

Have you ever wondered what an aura is and how to find out yours? An aura is the cloud of energy that surrounds every living being. Everyone has this energy field surrounding them at all times, but most people can’t actually see it. Your aura isn’t fixed. Rather, it changes with your mood or emotional state. Aura colors all have different meanings, and they usually include many different colors. Identifying the dominant color in your aura can determine a lot about who you are and how you feel.

Any color of the rainbow can be found in your aura, and they each have a very specific meaning. Red auras are all about passion. Orange auras show up for those who have creativity as a focus. Yellow auras indicate lots of energy. Green auras represent abundance. Blue auras are all about tranquility. Indigo auras are often visible for intuitive people. And, violet auras indicate spirituality.

Since we don’t see everyone walking around with big rainbow bubbles around them, we know that the naked eye can’t see auras. So, how do you determine your aura? There are a few ways of figuring out the dominant color in your aura. The most thorough way to understand your aura is to get a professional to read your aura portrait. You’ll be able to understand all of the colors in your aura and learn information that’s specially tailored to you. Plus, you’ll actually get to see what your aura looks like. If you want something a little quicker and easier to start out with, you can learn to read your own aura, or you can find an online quiz to get an idea.

The Orange Aura Personality

So, you’ve determined the dominant color in your aura one way or another, and it turns out, your aura is orange! Orange auras aren’t very common, so if it’s your dominant color, you’re in a rare state of mind. Orange auras have powerful energy. Your orange aura shows that you’re full of energy and ready to take action and make changes. This aura indicates that you have creativity bursting out of you.

Orange auras represent sensuality and emotions. You have intense energy and are full of creativity. Pairing this with your ability to understand your emotions, you have a knack for expressing your feelings creatively, and this is often beneficial for others. You’re fast-moving and love to go all-in on new ideas and dive headfirst into new projects. You also may be a thrill-seeker or adrenaline junkie.

Every aura color has both positive traits and weaknesses that come along with it. Someone with an orange aura, you have many strengths that will help you in different areas of your life. But, this doesn’t mean you’re without challenges. Folks with orange auras tend to get burned out very quickly. You’re so bursting with energy and ideas, that you often go full-force into something, and you fizzle out fast. To prevent this, resist your natural urge to always give every task your all. Pace yourself, have patience with yourself, and make an effort not to spread yourself too thin.

As someone with a tendency to be a daredevil and a fast-mover, make sure to take extra care in making decisions. Try not to be rash or endanger yourself or others in your pursuit of adventure and new experiences.

The Orange Aura And The Sacral Chakra

Every aura has one of the seven chakras associated with it. Orange auras connect to the sacral chakra. This chakra sits about two inches below your belly button. It’s all about creativity and sexual energy. Additionally, it has to do with understanding your emotions and the emotions of other people. When your sacral chakra is balanced, those around you are likely to view you as warm and generous. If your aura is orange, this chakra is most likely unblocked and flowing smoothly.

The Love Life Of A Orange Aura

Since your aura is reflected by your emotions, it can be an important part of your romantic life and how you interact with others. You love adventures and new experiences. This makes you want to find a partner with a similar love of sharing life’s exciting thrills. You have a desire to please others, which makes you a great partner.

When it comes to romance, you love the thrill of the chase. Others view you as flirtatious and exciting, and you love to pursue those who attract you. To avoid getting stuck in a pattern of only wanting to pursue new partners and not enjoying settling down, bring your natural love of adventure into all parts of your relationship. Seek a partner who will enjoy these things with you.

Careers For Orange Auras

As someone with an orange aura, you have a lot of strengths that will serve you well in your professional life. You’re naturally great at making first impressions, which can be helpful for landing a new job or meeting potential clients.

Confidence is one of your strong suits, and this makes decision-making and standing up for your ideas easy for you. These traits make you a great fit for sales jobs or any career where you work regularly with clients. While leadership may not be your favorite role, you are a great team member. Being a standout team player will be a great benefit to you. And, of course, your creative mind will keep your great ideas coming and would serve you well in a creative job.

The Orange Aura Aesthetic

When searching for a style that goes with your aura, look at the traits associated with other aura colors and think about what may complement or help the traits associated with your aura. For example, lavender auras are all about imagination. Sport lavender to let your imagination help you in your creativity. Alternatively, if you want to balance out your strong energy, try incorporating more blue in your wardrobe, which promotes tranquility.

If you want to use your aura to inspire your outfit, think about your outgoing, creative nature. Try mixing and matching patterns or bright colors you don’t usually wear. 

 We’re used to splitting our appearance into two sections: the internal (invisible) and the external (visible). However, we’re ignoring a critical element with this duality. There is another, lesser-known facet of our appearance—one we can’t easily see. 

This outward element of our being is a manifestation of energy. These manifestations appear in auras, which are colorful energy fields that emanate from all living things. Auras appear in different colors and strengths, depending on our mood and time in our lives. 

Our auras reveal our deepest feelings and intentions. These colorful energy fields visualize what our brains have yet to process. Of course, this information does not come easily. 

Indeed, auras are difficult to see with the naked eye. You can visualize your aura with the help of a professional reading, or you could try this mirror technique from TikTok. 

We can navigate our lives and relationships more thoughtfully once we figure out our aura’s color. Our auras bring us closer to our inner shadow selves, giving us greater confidence in our actions, emotions, and intentions. 

If someone’s ever told you that you’re the personification of sunshine, then you likely have a yellow aura.

The Yellow Aura Personality

While auras can share similar hues, no two are exactly alike. Our unique personalities and life experiences shade our auras as a uniquely “you” color. But generally speaking, women with yellow auras tend to be optimistic, confident, and charismatic. 

Not everyone with a yellow aura is extroverted, but most are. Still, even introverted yellow auras tend to attract the attention of others. While it might make these shyer yellow auras nervous at first, their easy-going demeanor lets the anxiety roll off their back. 

Those with yellow auras tend to have a great deal of inner confidence. They are sure-footed and curious, which makes them excellent natural leaders. Women with yellow auras are not immune to insecurity. But on a foundational level, they are very self-assured. 

This assurance is due mainly to their overarching optimism. Yellow auras see the glass as half full, and they’re incredibly grateful the glass is there at all. These individuals see every day as an open doorway into a world of opportunity. Regardless of what’s waiting on the other side, they know they’ll be able to handle it. 

Where does all this self-confidence come from? The gut, of course—more specifically, the solar plexus.

The Yellow Aura And The Solar Plexus Chakra

Understanding how a yellow aura influences our personality is one thing; knowing what a yellow aura means is another. Our body has seven chakras situated along our spine from crown to tailbone. Chakras are small, invisible hubs of energy from which auras radiate. 

Yellow auras emanate directly from the solar plexus chakra—Manipura in Sanskrit. This chakra is also called the navel chakra. Located on the spine behind the abdomen, the solar plexus chakra acts as the body’s powerhouse.

All chakras are energy hubs, but the solar plexus chakra is the biggest. The solar plexus chakra is a catalyst for action, progress, and change. It dictates our self-esteem, sense of purpose, and individual will. Physically, it controls digestion and metabolism. 

An out-of-balance solar plexus chakra manifests in several ways. Physical symptoms are easier to see. These manifest as digestive or eating disorders, ulcers, and poor nutrient absorption. The mental symptoms are harder to see but easy to feel. These look like aggression, poor self-esteem, lack of direction, and fear. 

Unsurprisingly, the balance of our yellow auras and solar plexus chakras have significant impacts on our home, love, and work lives.

The Love Life Of A Yellow Aura

Women with yellow auras see all relationships as chances to improve themselves. Their charismatic energy makes them incredibly attractive, and they enjoy the attention. Those with yellow auras have very little trouble wooing potential suitors. 

Relationships with yellow auras are often lighthearted, exciting, and spontaneous. A sense of humor is vital to these individuals. However, their love of all things easy can make navigating long-term relationships difficult. 

These connections often come with conflicts of varying degrees. The uncomfortable aspects of intimacy can be unappealing to a woman with a yellow aura. Instead, they prefer to relish in the blithe newness of casual dating. 

Their chronic optimism can cause strife with those who lean on the gloomier side. Despite their charm, those with yellow auras struggle to empathize with negativity. Still, not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time. The right partner can help someone with a yellow aura see that. 

Conversely, those with yellow auras are susceptible to those who wish to take advantage of their sunny demeanor. These people leech off the yellow aura’s energy, leaving the other person drained and defeated.

Careers For Yellow Auras

Women with yellow auras thrive in professional settings that let them grow. These natural-born leaders cannot stand stagnancy. If a job doesn’t allow them the opportunity to expand their horizons, yellow aura individuals will grow agitated and restless. 

For this reason, women with yellow auras make great team members on start-up and humanitarian projects. These endeavors require patience, optimism, and endurance, all of which are in a yellow aura’s wheelhouse. 

Because of their curious minds, individuals with yellow auras also excel in areas of creativity and exploration. Their passion and drive work well within education, archeology, technology, and social justice efforts. 

Those with yellow auras don’t just need the space to grow. They also need a positive work environment. These lighthearted souls can’t handle persistent sadness and despair. Hospice care, social work, or food service aren’t compatible with a yellow aura’s temperament.

The Yellow Aura Aesthetic

While we might not always see our auras, we can at least embody them. The most obvious way to do so is by surrounding yourself with yellow. This allows our external environment to reflect ourselves. In turn, we reinforce our aura’s energetic influence and our mind-body connection. 

Another great way to embody the yellow aura aesthetic is with the brightest yellow of them all: sunlight. Women with yellow auras prefer lots of natural lighting in their living space. They tend to wilt in dark, dreary environments. Large windows, ample outdoor space, and plenty of time in the sun are all essential for yellow aura people. 

Yellow auras are all about bold, bright, and passionate energy. They exude warmth, and their outer appearance reflects that. Indeed, women with yellow auras shine as brightly as the golden glow that surrounds them.

The stars’ influence follows us from birth to death. Our Zodiac profiles sway our love lives, careers, and life paths. So, it’s unsurprising that the stars also affect our physical transformations. 

One planet, in particular, kicks off the menopausal transition of women in their late 40s. Like menopause, this planet is unpredictable and confusing. But its chaotic energy serves a larger purpose in our lives than you might think. 

Indeed, this planet helps usher us into the wisest, most self-assured chapter of womanhood.

The First Opposition

According to astrologist Elizabeth Spring, there are three stages to menopause. The first is Uranus Opposition (UO), then the Chiron Return, and finally the Second Saturn Return. Each stage introduces new symptoms and experiences. 

But it’s this first opposition that gets the ball rolling. It takes Uranus 84 Earth years to complete its orbit. Around the 40-42 year mark, Uranus will have traveled 180º from where it was at the time of your birth. 

The faraway planet reaches this position around our midlife period. This unpredictable planet is responsible for midlife crises and major life shifts. Uranus Opposition also kicks off the start of menopause and all that comes with it.

The Influence Of Uranus

Generally speaking, Uranus rules originality and awakenings. This planet encourages us to challenge the status quo and think creatively. While it’s not always a problem-solver, it is undoubtedly a problem-identifier. 

Its unpredictable energy gives it a bad reputation. However, positives can’t exist without some negatives. Uranus’s energy can be volatile. But far more often, it’s life-changing and liberating. 

Uranus also controls all things electricity, which includes us. We sense shifts from Uranus on a deep, neuronic level. The signals our body receives from this planet over 1.8 billion miles away catalyze great change.

The effects of the Uranus Opposition are just as intense as the planet itself.

What Uranus Opposition Looks Like

UO pushes women into a new chapter of life full force. It shakes our perception of how we should act and encourages us to take back our autonomy. UO doesn’t just create a new chapter in life. It helps create a new you. 

This planet removes the filter from our eyes and mouth, allowing us to see and communicate with the world more clearly. Women typically gain more confidence and become more assertive during this time. 

Moreover, this stage of life is when our perception maximizes. Life experience, paired with Uranus’ powerful energy, helps women quickly spot B.S. It would be unwise to try to pull one over on a woman in the throes of her UO. 

Alternatively, this energy can manifest physically. Uranus’ unpredictable nature starts to affect cycle regularity. Additionally, this intense power surge can cause mood swings and hot flashes. The sudden burst of HD clarity also tends to cause sleeping problems.

How To Make The Most Out Of Opposition

UO can be a turbulent time. But it can also be productive. Capitalize on this energy by making new plans and setting new intentions. You are setting the stage to enjoy the second half of life on your terms. 

During this time, you might notice aspects of your younger self bubbling to the surface. Old interests, dreams, or friends might return to your life. If they still bring you joy, this is the time to pursue them. If they don’t, you know to leave that extra baggage in the past. 

The clinical term for UO is perimenopause. After UO, women will also experience Chiron Return and Second Saturn Return. The groundwork laid during the first stage will help ease the following two. 

Uranus and menopause are both misunderstood. Change isn’t always a bad thing; it’s only different. With a slight shift in perspective, our fear can turn into exhilaration—and that makes the journey a hell of a lot more fun.

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The universe is constantly trying to speak to us. It reveals itself in many ways: religion, occultism, nature itself. Some messages are apparent, while others are easy to miss. One of the more subtle ways the universe communicates is through numbers. 

Numerology is the study of the significance of numbers. For example, certain numbers influence specific aspects of our lives—much like the stars and planets. Depending on the numbers and their sequence, they can also be bearers of good or bad news. 

The number two indicates positive energy, success, and harmony. And next week, the numbers will align to create a once-in-a-lifetime energetic powerhouse: 2/2/22 on a Tuesday (though, we’ve been referring to it as “twosday”). 

This positive energy will only be around for 24 hours; here’s how to make the most of it.

As Easy As 1, 2, 3

Numerology is closely related to synchronicity. Synchronicity refers to how the universe communicates with us. It encompasses all of the strange, random coincidences that encourage us to pause and reflect. 

Synchronicity can manifest as dreams or symbols. It can look like an unexpected but reaffirming conversation or a significant encounter. This phenomenon can also look like specific number sequences. 

These messages appear in short, numerical quips as if from a celestial pager. Each number and sequence order corresponds to a specific type of message. Ascending numbers are positive, while descending numbers are more negative. 

But it’s not just order that matters. The specific number is important, too. Spiritual medium and author James Van Praagh outlined some of the most common numerical meanings on Kripalu Health & Yoga Center’s website. These numbers—also called angel numbers—offer distinct messages.

The Power Of 2 (Or In This Case, 2/22/22)

According to Pragh, the number two is one of the most positive. “In the spirit world, 222 means keep the faith and don’t stop believing. Your guides are working behind the scenes, and good things are coming soon.” 

The number two is positive reinforcement. Consider it a cosmic fistbump from the universe. These repeating twos might appear on the clock or a billboard, offering a celestial “you got this!” 

One way in which the number two brings positivity is through balance. In addition to plain old good juju, the number two pertains to duality. This includes equilibrium, stability, and relationships. 

Universal messages are not one-size-fits-all. Your idea of balance might look different to someone else, and vice versa. It’s up to the receiver to interpret these messages within their life experience, inner circles, and future goals. 

Still, there are ways to capitalize on the energy that a two-heavy date like 2/22/22 brings. In doing so, we can change these one-way messages from the universe into a two-way conversation.

How To Make The Most Of 2/22/22

This upcoming Tuesday, 2/22/22, will be all about manifesting your dreams into reality. There’s no singular “right” way to do this, so try not to get too caught up in the logistics. Instead, focus on capitalizing on this positive energy in whatever way you can. 

Generally speaking, 2/22/22 is the time to focus on the goals, ideals, and relationships that make you the happiest. If you have the time to pursue passion projects or take a spontaneous day trip, 2/22 would be a good time for it. 

Of course, it’s also a Tuesday, and the universe isn’t shelling out any cosmic PTO. If you don’t have the time to focus on the fun stuff this 2/22, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to miss out. You can enjoy the benefits of 2/22 on a busy schedule, too. 

Keep an eye out for opportunities to balance a busy work and home life on this day. 2/22’s stabilizing energy could bring some much-needed equilibrium to a meaningful relationship in your life. Or, this could be a great time for setting (or taking on) new goals. 

The universe provides the energy; it’s up to you to figure out the best way to use it. Luckily, all signs point in a positive direction.

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An aura is an electromagnetic field found around each and every person. It can be discovered, seen, and explored, and it can provide information on personality traits, romantic relationships, career choices, spiritual life, and more. This can be particularly beneficial to women, as they discover the deeper meaning of their auras. 

Aura’s energy fields that exist around people have distinct colors. For example, an orange one may be found on someone who is outgoing, those who are nurturing could have green in theirs, and indigo is found in imaginative people. Whatever color is seen is determined by one’s health, mood, experiences, and state of being. 

At times, a person may discover that their aura is quite unique and that it is white, which, according to spiritual author Shannon Kaiser, is “the rarest of all aura colors and indicates purity, integrity, and a high level of spirituality.” 

The White Aura Personality 

What does it mean to have a white aura and, more specifically, to be a woman with a white aura? Well, these types are loyal, wholesome, dependable, and helpful.

Their pure state of light and high energy shows harmony, integrity, sensitivity, adaptability, contentment, intuitiveness, attentiveness, and ethical ways. This color can also represent new possibilities, cleansing, and enlightenment.

They are the epitome of good, which is why most babies have a pure, white aura. This is also a color with a high vibration, representing its goodness and spirituality. When it is particularly bright, it shows an abundance of innocence and wisdom, as well as the ability to heal and a connection to higher consciousness. This “special communion with the divine” can manifest itself in a variety of ways. The person may have extreme intuition. They may be full of luck. They could be psychic. Or they may just be super supportive.

There are some negative personality traits that can be associated with this aura color: Their innocence can become naiveté, and the intense spirituality can make a person feel disconnected from the real world.  

The White Aura And Crown Chakra 

As mentioned, a white aura is rare, but women who have them are connected to something big, and this connection is enhanced, due to a white aura’s association with the crown chakra. 

There are seven main chakras in the human body, and each corresponds with a specific aura color. At the top of the head is the crown chakra, which is defined by enlightenment and the spiritual world. Those with white-colored auras feel “drawn to consciousness, connection to a higher power, wisdom, self-realization, presence, and self-awareness,” shared spiritual YouTuber Karishma Hira. 

In Sanskrit, chakra translates to, “spinning wheels of energy,” and remember: A woman with a white aura has an abundance of energy. This is why there is a spiritual transcendence, a connection to the supernatural, and an ability to ward off negative energies found in these types.  

A bright white aura shows that the crown chakra is open. When it’s blocked, though, a person may feel unstable, confused, and, in general, an overall sense of poor mental and physical health.

The Love Life Of A White Aura

The goodness and kindness found in a person with a white-colored aura bleed into romance, as they love in a genuine and caring way. “In relationships, they may make the well-being of others a priority over themselves. They love more deeply than many other people; it can be a lot of love for others to handle, especially if they don’t love themselves,” states spiritual author Shannon Kaiser.

Once they have found a partner, they will make it obvious that they care about said partner’s emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. No matter what, they will accept their loved ones, despite any and all flaws, showing up for them time after time. 

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks, when it comes to their love life with this type. For starters, their partners may feel judged or unworthy of being around this pure and perfect white aura soul. Additionally, it can be hard for someone with a white aura to give all of their time and attention to a loved one; their big hearts and spiritual ways make them want to go out and help everyone in the world. 

Another negative quality is that despite how protective this color is, they are not always great at defending themselves. Therefore, when combined with their naivety, they can end up deceived and even abused. In particular, a white aura that is darkened a bit may show someone who is too forgiving, too trusting, and always being taken advantage of. 

When using caution and balance, though, a woman with a white aura can enter into a beautiful relationship, giving more love than someone can even imagine. 

Careers For White Auras

These wholesome and gentle souls put their helping hands to work in jobs that give back. Some examples include environmental work, healthcare, the law industry, a therapist, and roles that allow them to fight for the rights and protection of humans, animals, and the environment. 

A white aura also signifies a woman who is cautious, practical, and meticulous, which are all excellent traits to have, especially when it comes to a career. This color is lucky, as well, so while a woman with a white-colored aura will get far with her wisdom and instincts, she will also use those high levels of energy and vibrations to see even further success. 

Their loyalty and dependability mean they can be counted on at all times and will always go the extra mile, whether that means picking up someone’s shift or volunteering on the weekend. It may even seem like a person with a white aura has no goals in their professional life, as they are fine with the small tasks, the dirty work, and the positions that put them in the background…anything that helps keep a workplace or organization up and running in the most helpful and efficient way possible. 

We often consider our appearance twofold: the invisible internal and the visible external. However, there is another, lesser-known facet of our exterior facade—one we can’t see. 

This outward element of our physical appearance is a manifestation of energy. Auras are energy fields that emanate from all living things. They appear in different colors and strengths, depending on our mood and time in our lives. 

Our auras reveal our deepest feelings and intentions. Indeed, they can even visualize what our brains have yet to process. But, of course, this information does not come easily. 

Auras are difficult to see with the naked eye. You can visualize your aura with the help of a professional reading, or you could try this mirror technique from TikTok. 

Figuring out your aura’s color helps you gain insight into your inner shadow self. It can help you navigate your life and relationships more mindfully and give you greater confidence. 

If you have a pink aura, you are deeply connected to your emotions. You love all forms of love: romantic, platonic, or otherwise.

The Pink Aura Personality

Auras can be similar in color, but no two are exactly alike. Individual personalities and experiences contribute to our aura’s unique shade. But generally speaking, women with pink auras are typically romantic and sentimental. This makes them excellent partners and thoughtful friends. 

Introverted women with pink auras tend to love deeply and intensely. They prefer the company of a few close friends instead of a crowd of acquaintances. Additionally, these individuals are often serial monogamists. When they get into a relationship, they will do whatever they can to make it work.

Still, being madly in love with love does have its downfalls. Those with pink auras feel their low emotions just as intensely as their high ones. So, it can be difficult to recenter themselves when they sink into melancholy or flair into a rage. 

Moreover, their acute empathy can often lead to anxiety and poor boundaries. Women with pink auras are in tune with their emotions and others’. They can sense when someone needs help, and they’re often the first to give it. But this can spiral into a cycle of people-pleasing and burnout. 

Understanding the fundamentals of a pink aura can help navigate the soaring highs and plummeting lows.

The Pink Aura And The Heart Chakra

It’s one thing to know how a pink aura influences our personality; it’s another to know what a pink aura means. Our body has seven chakras situated along our spine from crown to tailbone. Chakras are like small, invisible hubs of energy from which auras radiate. 

Pink auras radiate directly from the heart chakra—Anahata in Sanskrit. The heart chakra sits in the chest, acting as a bridge between the upper and lower chakras. It also serves as an anchor for the entire cardiovascular system, as it is directly connected to the heart and lungs. 

Thus, pink aura meanings are very similar to the heart chakra. This chakra corresponds to compassion, trust, and kindness. We also associate this chakra with beauty, relationships, and healing. Therefore, we can expect opposite effects when this chakra is out of balance. 

Out of balance heart chakras can manifest as moodiness, distrust, and jealousy. Additionally, it can look like a fear of intimacy, narrow–mindedness, or judgmental behavior. When this happens, pink auras can dwindle in strength or change colors altogether. 

The state of our auras and chakras directly impacts our romantic and professional lives as well.

The Love Life Of A Pink Aura

Unsurprisingly, women with pink auras love to be in relationships. They’ve likely familiarized themselves with their love language and look for any excuse to use it. Those with pink auras are loyal, caring, and thoughtful in their best, most balanced states. 

Romance comes naturally to them, which is usually a positive thing. However, if their partner makes them feel unappreciated or unloved, women with pink auras are quick to lash out. Of course, this is due mainly to the ferocity of their emotions. 

These sensitive individuals almost always feel like they’re acting out of self-defense. This can make conflict difficult, as they’re slow to take the blame. Those with pink auras believe their intentions are rooted in love. If their partner can’t see that, then it’s their partner’s fault. 

Indeed, the glare of these individuals’ emotions is blinding. It can convince them that things are better—or worse—than they really are. For this reason, women with pink auras benefit from having friends and family who provide honest, sugar-coat-free advice. 

Their love lives are enriching, romantic, and intense in the right environment. Still, these individuals should be mindful of developing codependency or other unhealthy dynamics. (That’s where those brutally honest friends and family come into play.)

Careers For Pink Auras

Those with pink auras thrive in careers that offer space to be vulnerable, creative, and sensitive. This could range anywhere from the service industry to the arts depending on the individual. As long as they have the freedom to express their emotions as they so choose, women with pink auras will be happy. 

Because they are so drawn to the beauty of life, people with pink auras are usually talented artists. Many have talents in both visual and aural arts. They tend to pick up various hobbies to release their creative energy. In the best-case scenario, women with pink auras find a way to incorporate their creative passions into their day-to-day job. 

Additionally, individuals with pink auras thrive in service-based jobs. These compassionate souls make patient and kind health care workers. They’re great in early education, given their strong maternal instinct. Their affinity for charity makes them wonderful humanitarians and advocates for the unheard. Foodservice and retail can also be fulfilling outlets for their hospitable personality.

The Pink Aura Aesthetic

We might not always see our auras, but we can at least embody them. Certainly, the most obvious way to do so is by surrounding yourself with the color pink. In this way, we allow our external environment to reflect ourselves. This reinforces our aura’s energetic influence and the mind-body connection.

Pink auras vibrate at a similar frequency to green auras. Therefore, surrounding yourself with the color green is another great way to strengthen your pink aura’s energy. Women with pink auras make excellent gardeners and houseplant owners, thanks to their natural sensitivity and connection with the plants’ color. 

We often associate pink auras with femininity, though that adjective can be somewhat limiting. Any gender or style type can don a pink aura, regardless of whether they express it in frills, lace, and bubble gum pink. 

Because technically, anything a woman with a pink aura loves is a pink aura aesthetic. The color pink doesn’t magically bring forth a pink aura—love does. And at the end of the day, that’s all a person with a pink aura really cares about.

Has anyone ever told you that you have a red aura? Did you have any idea what they were talking about? In the simplest terms, an aura is an invisible energy field that surrounds all living beings. It’s believed to give off energy that reflects a person’s spiritual and emotional state. Auras vibrate at different frequencies depending on how a person feels, and those vibrations give off specific colors. While these colors are ever-changing, most people have at least one or two that frequently recur and can tell them a lot about their personality and well-being.

Generally speaking, women with red auras tend to be energetic, courageous, and strong-willed. If you’re one of them, finding out what a red aura means can help you learn all kinds of important things about yourself. In this post, we’ll help you gain personal insight by exploring red aura meanings and what they may say about your personality, love life, career ambitions, and more.  

The Red Aura Personality

Symbolically, the color red represents passion, courage, and vitality. People with red auras tend to be incredibly headstrong and brave, as well as opinionated, decisive, and determined. They thrive on adventure and are not afraid to take on a challenge in any area of life, including work and love. They are action-oriented individuals who prefer to be actively engaged in experiences rather than simply thinking about them or observing them from afar.

In addition to being strong and bold, people with red auras are highly confident and unapologetic about their values and beliefs. They love to be in charge and run the show, which makes them natural-born leaders who know how to get things done. Their energy and passionate nature always attract eager followers, and they aren’t afraid to tell people what to do.

When a person with a red aura takes on a task, they never do it halfway. Getting as close to perfection as possible is important for red auras, which can sometimes lead to trouble when things don’t work out exactly as planned. And because red auras have no problem with confrontation, they rarely keep quiet when they disagree with something.  

These traits can make red auras challenging to be around, especially for people who are shy and introverted. Some people may feel intimidated by red auras because of their bold attitude and unapologetic confidence. Getting a red aura to compromise can be tough, and sometimes their stubborn nature leads people to get easily frustrated by them.

At the same time, there’s nothing better than having a red aura in your corner when you need the support of a friend. They are generally well-grounded souls who are loyal and eager to fight for what’s right. They always defend the ones they love and fight passionately for the causes they believe in. People with red auras have a magnetic energy and an uncanny ability to inspire the people around them.

The Red Aura And The Root Chakra

Red corresponds to the root chakra, which is the first chakra that develops in the body. Situated at the base of the spine, it guides our feelings of security and safety and serves as the foundation for all other chakras in the body.

When a red aura is present, it signifies an open and unblocked root chakra. This means that the person has a strong foundation grounded in feelings of safety and security.

We’ve talked about how people with red auras are confident, and much of that comes from having an unblocked root chakra. A blocked root chakra can cause feelings of instability, anxiety, fear, and worry. When the root chakra is clear, it provides a sense of safety and stability that naturally begets confidence.

The Love Life Of A Red Aura

Given their fiery nature, it’s no surprise that people with red auras can be extremely passionate when it comes to matters of the heart. They love the thrill of the chase and thrive off of the excitement and energy of early courtships. Being with a red aura is never dull—they bring their bold nature and sense of adventure right into their romantic relationships. Sexual chemistry is a driving force for red auras, as is the ability to have fun with their partners and find someone who will constantly keep them on their toes.

Red auras are very physical by nature, which means they’re not afraid to indulge in PDA. They are also very straightforward and honest and do not like people who are coy or play games when it comes to relationships. People with red auras like to go all in, so they rarely have the patience for wishy-washy partners who are resistant to making a commitment.

Unfortunately, people with red auras sometimes run into relationship troubles because of their stubborn nature and need to control. If they’re with a partner who is equally as headstrong, fights may be frequent. And because red auras have a tendency to lose their temper, these arguments may escalate quickly if calmer minds do not prevail.

That said, red auras make loving and loyal partners when paired with people who can handle their passion and intensity. They often show their love with grand, thoughtful gestures such as big flower bouquets, sparkling jewelry, and other coveted gifts. They love to make their significant others feel special.

Careers For Red Auras

Because people with red auras are extremely driven and determined to get things done, they are almost always successful in their work endeavors. They make excellent leaders and excel in jobs that require important, high-level decisions, such as politicians, CEOs, and other types of corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and business managers. They also do well in careers that involve public exposure and scrutiny, such as acting, modeling, dancing, and other areas of entertainment.

People with red auras also tend to enjoy high-energy jobs that require intense physical activity. Fitness instructors, professional athletes, fighter fighters, construction workers, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and paramedics often have red auras. Given their courageous nature and love of adventure, they may gravitate towards dangerous, dare devilish occupations (and hobbies), such as mountain climbing, sky diving, race car driving, stunt work, or trapeze performing.

Some red auras may find fulfillment in less active jobs, though they typically have to have high stakes in order to be rewarding. For example, they may become doctors, brain surgeons, private detectives, explosives workers, or bomb technicians—anything that requires courage and can have a major impact on themselves or others.

The Red Aura Aesthetic

People with red auras love to express themselves through style. Rarely will you see them in an outfit that doesn’t stand out in one way or another—they always use clothes and accessories to grab attention. Red auras prefer bright, bold colors (especially red!) and love to wear pieces with whimsical, eye-catching prints. They’re also big on statement-making jewelry, high heels, and other accessories that make a big impact.

Red auras also pay close attention to what they wear underneath their clothes. They love lingerie—the silkier and sexier the better—and they have no problem splurging on high-end pieces that are exquisitely tailored. You may also find people with red auras experimenting with risqué day looks, including wearing bras as tops or slips as dresses. Basically, red auras have no fear when it comes to style and like anything that gets them noticed.

Your aura is the bubble of energy that surrounds you wherever you go. Everyone has this unseen energy field around their body at all times. Your aura can be changed by your mood or emotional state. For those who can see auras, everyone’s aura is usually composed of several different colors that have different meanings. The color that’s dominant in your aura says a lot about who you are and how you’re feeling. 

Auras can contain any color of the rainbow. Red auras represent passion. Orange auras are creative. Yellow auras represent energy. Green auras are all about abundance. Blue auras are tranquil. Indigo auras are intuitive. Violet auras are all about spirituality.

Obviously, the naked eye can’t usually see auras (though, it would be pretty cool if it could.) So, how does anyone know what their aura is? If you don’t know the dominant color in your aura, there are a few ways you can go about identifying it. The best way to identify your aura is to get a professional aura portrait. Not only can you get a definitive read, but you can actually see a photo of your aura. But, if you’re not ready for a major step like that, there are ways to read your own aura, or take you can check out an online quiz to figure it out.

The Blue Aura Personality

So, you’ve discovered that the dominant color in your aura is blue. People with blue auras are great at expression and communication. This is true for all blue auras, but not every shade of blue aura is the same. Different shades of blue have different attributes.

What’s Your Shade Of Blue?

If your aura is turquoise, according to the spiritual author, Shannon Kaiser,  you have “confidence in knowledge and truly knowing yourself.” True blue auras (aka cobalt, royal, or bright blue) are linked with people who have a knack for self-expression, creativity, imagination, and are likely to have a strong intuition. If your aura is more on the sky blue or light blue side, you also have a tendency toward creativity and a strong intuition. You’re a great leader and communicator.

If your aura is blue-indigo (or lands somewhere between deep blue and deep purple,) your aura indicates deeper, more intuitive emotions and feelings. Indigo is linked with the third eye chakra, so while you still have the traits that come with blue auras, you also lean toward having better intuition and more sensitivity. If your blue aura is cloudy instead of clear, you likely have a fear of communicating. You may be surrounded by sensitive people, and this could add to your hesitancy to share your true thoughts and feelings.

How Your Blue Aura Helps You Interact With Others

So much of the blue aura focuses on communication. Your sensitivity and appreciation for honesty help you when it’s time to communicate effectively with others. Your blue chakra makes you a calming presence for those around you. You have serene, grounded energy that, paired with your ability to communicate clearly, helps you to be a stabilizing force in serious, heated, or difficult conversations. 

The Blue Aura’s Weaknesses

Those with blue auras have many traits that are assets in various aspects of their lives. Still, every aura has weaknesses. Your own sensitivity can cause you to be afraid of sharing your opinions and being vulnerable with others. This can make it difficult for you to form deep connections. You can also take on too much responsibility and could even become a workaholic as a result.

The Blue Aura And The Throat Chakra

Every aura is directly connected to one of the different chakras. Blue auras are linked to the throat chakra. The throat chakra is all about truth, self-expression, and communication. The more dominant the blue is in your aura, the more honest, expressive and confident in communicating you are.

The Love Life Of A Blue Aura

Your blue aura will dictate how you behave in romantic relationships, as well as the romantic partners you seek out and attract. You value truth and are an incredible communicator– both of which are great traits for a partner. But, having a partner who also has these attributes is likely very important to you. 

You want a person who can identify their needs and tell you about them, as well as be willing to listen and adjust in response to yours. Your calm, serene nature makes it easier for you to communicate clearly without getting overwhelmed, letting tensions rise, or being disrespectful during disagreements. This will help you in balancing your partner and leading conflicts in the right direction, regardless of your partner’s communication style. Still, you find it important that your partner also knows how to be calm and receptive in heated moments. 

You are loyal in all relationships, and you’ll find it easy to support your partner through the good times and the bad. Your creativity will add fun and out-of-the-box thinking to dates, gifts, and activities you do together to ward off boredom and monotony away.

When dating around or searching for a partner, you’ll want to steer clear of those who are emotionally unavailable or stunted in their communication abilities. You want someone who can commit to you and make you feel stable. Often, you pair well with partners who have yellow auras.

Careers For Blue Auras

Knowing your aura can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses in every area of your life. It can even help you with your professional endeavors. Your blue aura gives you many advantages in the workplace. You’re likely to thrive at a creative job or somewhere where your imagination is valued. But, you’ll fare best in a situation where you can not only put your imagination to use, but also communicate and share your ideas. For this reason, you might be drawn to careers like singing, public speaking, or teaching.

According to Kaiser, those with blue auras “can be very reliable when it comes to meeting deadlines and getting the job done. They are loyal, trusting, and devoted in their careers. They also make great team players!” Your honesty and trustworthiness will make you a valued employee anywhere you land.

The Blue Aura Aesthetic

Since most folks can’t see what your aura is, it’s just something that the people around you feel. But, using your aura to dictate your style can make you feel aligned and confident. Self-expression is important to you as someone with a blue aura, and you can sometimes find it difficult. So, embrace your style as a way to get your feelings out there. 

You’re creative, so mixing, matching, and power-clashing can make you feel strangely put together. Whether it’s your fashion choices, what style trends you follow, or your home decor, let your creativity guide you, and don’t let your conscious mind get in the way. You’ll be surprised at how liberating it can be to put together everything you like and watch it work together better than you expect. So, go for every color, pattern, and texture that attracts you. And, don’t be afraid to sport that Euphoria-inspired makeup looks or mix and match accessories. Self-expression is the best way to make your blue aura happy.

An aura, which is a field of energy around the body, comes with its own distinct color, depending on the person and their mood, qualities, and state of being, and this color comes with its own set of traits and emotions. 

It can be rare to see a brown aura, especially one that is all brown, but they do exist. They also usually have various shades and maybe even spotting or edgings of browns. For instance, one that looks like coffee with cream may appear around someone who is one with nature. A yellow-tan color can indicate that a person is coming to terms with something and getting ready to move on in life. An aura that favors chocolate shows an attunement to the energies of the earth. A sandy brown could belong to a very organized type, but if it is the prominent aura color, it could stand for obsessive behavior. One that is sort of creamy is often associated with a current obstacle in life, and it is usually related to a job or a relationship problem. And finally, a dark or murky brown aura means there is an emotional, mental, or sexual difficulty.  

Someone with a brown aura, including women with brown auras, can use this information to also find out details on their personality traits, love lives, career paths, and more, as seen down below!

The Brown Aura Personality 

So what does it mean to have a brown or tan aura? Well, according to Eileen Lee, an aura reader, a photographer, and the founder of an experiential portrait practice called AURA AURA, it “reflects more of a linear thinking process.” Aura expert Pamala Oslie elaborated, saying that these types want “security and stability.”

Some other words to describe a personality, when it comes to a person with this aura color, include analytical, rational, and practical. Many people who fall into this group may also feel a connection to earth and nature, in general.

It has been said that this color can also signify that a person is scared, recovering from trauma, feeling guilty about something, or generally struggling in life. Additionally, a brown or tan color can be connected to allowing in negative emotions, greed, and manipulation. Do not fear, though, as there are ways to further bring out the positive vibes that can be associated with brown auras, which, later on, will be discussed. It can also help to focus on the good, to remember that aura colors can change over time, and to know that an aura does not completely define a person; it is simply a look into one’s energy, hopes, and fears.

The Brown Aura And Root Chakra 

There are seven chakras, each corresponding to organs in the human body, and for brown, that is the root chakra near the tailbone.

“This chakra represents your security and your power base. It determines your ability to feel calm, safe, and grounded. It’s also from where you’re able to pull in energy and manifest your desires,” says Reiki practitioner and nutritionist Serena Poon, CN.

The root chakra is known as muladhara, as well, and in Sanskrit, this breaks down to “Mula,” which means “root,” and “adhara,” meaning “support” or “base.” This chakra is also the first one of matter, and keeping it balanced can as mentioned, enhance that feeling of safety. Think of it like putting down a foundation for a house, as one must start with basic needs (such as food and shelter) and emotional needs. Keeping these met keeps that feeling of security. 

When the root chakra is not balanced, a person may feel anxiety or fear and may have health issues in the colon, bladder, lower back, legs, feet, or prostate. In order to regroup, reground, and, once again, provide a sense of security, Reiki practitioner and sound healer Susy Markoe Schieffelin suggests focusing on this chakra (at the base of the spine), taking deep breaths, and speaking the reminder, “I am safe.” 

The Love Life Of An Brown Aura 

Auras affect the connections that people have, and when two people like one another, their vibrations are in sync or match up, while those who are not meant to be will have repelling vibrations. Since auras, energy, and vibrations can change at any point, those who were once in sync can become unaligned romantically. And, vice versa, those who were once not a match may find themselves vibrating on the same frequency years later. 

The left brain-type personality seen in people with brown auras extends to their love lives. They want commitment and devotion. Once they have that, they will work at their marriage and at their job, in order to be faithful and in order to provide a comfortable and secure home life.  

These people are not into over-the-top, luxurious, or unpredictable relationships either. They just want to share life with someone who is reliable and sensible!

This may not sound super romantic, but it is made up of the things that matter most: When someone ends up with a brown aura woman, they are getting someone who will stick with the marriage through thick and thin and who will do her part to create contentment and happiness (in the house, in the relationship, and beyond). 

Careers For Brown Auras 

As pointed out, the color of someone’s aura can give them hints about careers, too. It is known that brown and tan auras indicate logic and practicality, so think about workplaces where this would come in handy.

All that planning could be put to use as an architect or landscaper. Leadership qualities would serve a pilot or teacher well. Since these types like interacting with people and the world, one may consider being a scientist or working in public relations. Engineers, accountants, and IT professionals are good options, as well, due to how one with a brown aura has a passion for analyzing data and details. 

Those who fall into this category enjoy a job with a variety of tasks, putting each of their special skills to use, but they do prefer low-stress situations that allow them to focus on what is truly important. They are practical people who are connected to the root chakra of security, and they take laying down “foundation” seriously. From making sure there is food on the table and a roof over everyone’s head, to letting go of fear, these devoted and rational types do whatever it takes to make a safe and comfortable home and life for themselves and their loved ones. 

For those who do not know, an aura is a field of energy around the body. This energy has a color, which comes with its own set of traits and emotions. For example, someone with a red aura may be energetic, someone with green in theirs may have an open heart, and a white one can signal a tendency for perfectionism.

While it can be purely entertaining to discover, know, and learn about your aura color, it can also be beneficial. Auras can provide information on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual body, including one’s current state of health. That is because this energy is dependent on a person’s mood, qualities, and general state of being. 

It should be noted, as well, that there are different shades or qualities of auras, and they each mean something special. A color that is very clearly purple represents a balance between the heart and mind, while a dark purple may mean there is an obstacle in the way of feeling balanced. Indigo carries on the idea of deep feelings, and similarly, lavender is reserved for those full of imagination.

The Violet Aura Personality

So what does it mean to have a violet aura? Well, those with a violet aura are usually creative and sensitive. They are natural leaders yet introverted. They are curious, looking to books and travel, in order to soak up more and more. 

They feel connected to dreams and higher consciousness. They crave to make changes and inspire others, chasing after pure joy for themselves and for all people. They are empaths that can tell what those around them are feeling and thinking. They personally have a million thoughts a minute, which are original and progressive ideas.

This color is also associated with the crown chakra above the brow, which coincides with the intuition that comes along with this particular aura.

The Violet Aura And Third-Eye Chakra 

There are seven primary chakras—a Sanskrit word meaning “spinning vortexes of energy“—and they are each connected to an organ in the body. For violet, that is the crown or the third-eye (which, in Sanskrit, is the Ajna chakra). Due to this, people who fall into this category are sensitive and wise visionaries who may also be psychic and/or spiritual. 

The third-eye is the body’s sixth chakra, and it is in the middle of your forehead. When it is blocked, a person may feel confused or uncertain, while opening it can lead to further awareness, insight, concentration, self-expression, intuition, and even spiritual communication. 

To align this chakra, one may try yoga moves like a shoulder stand or child’s pose, meditation, and/or working on releasing tension in the head, face, and neck. This can all help open up the idea of a “sixth sense,” which is related to the violet aura.

The Love Life Of An Violet Aura 

When it comes to friendships and romantic relationships, a person with a violet aura needs someone who is also passionate about creating, exploring, and learning. Additionally, due to how this person is so in tune with others’ emotions, spiritual author Gabriela Herstik points out that it is important to set and respect clear boundaries in relationships.

It is true that violet auras do best with partners who are as adventurous as they are. In fact, if they end up with people who are fearful or uninspiring, they can get bored and become unfulfilled in their love lives. That is why growth and passion are so important … especially to those with this aura color.

Yes, people with violet auras are hopeless romantics who believe in true love. They want commitment and security, so they tend to fall head over heels quickly, dreaming about what could be. When they find someone, they still maintain independence and use caution, though, with the perfect combination of emotions and logic.

Careers For Violet Auras 

What path in life should someone with this aura take? Someone who has a violet aura enjoys using their intuition to help others. That being said, jobs that give back are a great idea, such as a therapist, a doctor, or a humanitarian. This person is also in tune with what others need, and that extends to other living things like animals and plants. Therefore, one may also consider a career as, say, a veterinarian or a park ranger.

The Violet Aura’s Aesthetic

It can be exciting to explore how a certain aura color can affect fashion choices. As said, people with violet auras have high vibrations of energy, have big dreams, and have a desire to help. These traits can even be seen in their wardrobes.

As stated by aura stylist Susanna Merrick, these types are trendsetters and fashion influencers, wearing the next big thing before everyone else. These types are usually into thrifting and eco-friendly outfits, too. And each clothing item they wear is worn with a purpose. For instance, wearing a certain ensemble could make them feel attractive while shopping for sustainable clothes and can protect Mother Earth. 

Existence is chaotic, and as such, we spend a lot of time trying to glean meaning from the madness. Some of us turn to faith, while others look to the stars. 

But in our quests for reason, we might be ignoring the clearest signals of all: angel numbers. 

These subtle messages can offer valuable insight and premonition. However, we have to take the time to listen to them first.

What Are Angel Numbers?

Angel numbers pertain to numerology, the study of the significance of numbers. These numbers appear to us in many ways. Angel numbers can show up on the clock, in our dreams, on license plates, and even your phone’s battery percentage. 

Their significance has many facets, too. The numbers themselves deliver a message, but so do the time and location of their appearance. Angel numbers are a form of synchronicity. 

Synchronicity refers to the way the universe communicates with us. Numbers, sounds, and images can reveal themselves to us as clues. These clues might be positive or negative. Ultimately, it depends on the receiver. 

While their name indicates a sacred influence, angel numbers aren’t religious. The “angels” in question could be literal beings with wings. Or, it could be a formless, higher power. You could also consider angel numbers vibrational patterns locking in with yours. 

However you rationalize their mysterious origins, angel numbers can offer a lot of information.

Where You See Them Is Important

Angel numbers can appear almost anywhere. They could stand out on a billboard or flash across your car radio screen. Given the sheer number of possibilities, it’s best not to get hung up on the small “where.”

Instead, focus on the larger “where.” Did your angel number appear at home or in public? At-home angel numbers indicate the message is for yourself. Public angel numbers offer clues to your place in the world as a whole. 

You should also consider your current life situation and the emotions that the message brings. “Reflecting is the first step,” psychic medium Mystic Michaela told PopSugar. 

Additionally, “every number you see is infused with an emotional message,” Michaela continued. “Paying attention to how you feel the moment you see the number matters, as it’s part of what you are supposed to know.” 

So, which numbers are the angel ones?

What Makes A Number Angelic

Angel numbers typically appear in repeating patterns, such as 111, 222, and so on. Numerology also pays attention to multi-number sequence directions. Ascending numbers indicate positive reinforcement while descending numbers act as warnings. 

Spiritual medium and author of Talking to Heaven James Van Praagh outlined some of the most common angel numbers. 

• 111: A call to reflect, manifest, and act
• 222: Positive reinforcement, a numerical “you got this”
• 333: Universal guidance is closeby, so start looking 
• 444: A message of protection, security, and reinforcement 
• 555: Potential changes ahead, be on the lookout 
• 666: A universal tough love lesson 
• 777: A message of good luck and fortune 
• 888: Sign of progress and growth 
• 999: Fulfillment or final chapters ahead 
• 1111: Unity, new beginnings, and self-assurance

Praagh continued, “decoding numeric signs isn’t black and white. We all have our personal experiences that make numbers stand out to us. You might see your mother’s birthday and feel her presence, or spot your high school graduation date and know that change is in the works.”

If you keep your heart and eyes open, you’ll know an angel number when you see it. Watching for these small signs does double duty. Not only do you stay more in tune with the universe. But you also practice deeper mindfulness, self-reflection, and curiosity. 

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I’ve dealt with anxiety for as long as I can remember. At some point in my early 20s, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety and took medication for a while. In my 30s, during a worldwide pandemic, I used my husband’s health insurance to seek out therapy and maxed out the visits available. 

And, I know I’m not alone in this. Several of my friends and family have disclosed to me that they suffer from anxiety too. And, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States.” 

So, what can we do to help aid in our mental well-being? Of course, we all deal with stress, it’s a part of life! But, especially in the past couple of years, our patience has been put to the test. 

What if we told you there’s a program that can help you recognize your triggers, enable you with tools to deal with everyday stress, and give you tons of encouragement along the way?

Enter, Noom Mood

You’ve likely heard of Noom, which started with a weight management program, Noom Weight. Noom Weight uses psychology and behavior science to reframe relationships with food and also helps improve your overall health and wellbeing. Noom Mood is the platform’s latest iteration, which aims to help you deal with everyday stress and anxious thoughts in a self-paced and scientifically-backed way. (While Noom Mood is a great tool to help with stress and anxious thoughts, it is not a replacement for therapy. Noom Mood also does not offer diagnoses, evaluations, or treatment plans.)

Noom Mood acknowledges that oftentimes, the first step in any wellness journey is usually the hardest. As such, they created an intuitive program to provide easy, step-by-step guidance to help develop emotional awareness as well as techniques to combat daily stress. Their website states that their mission is to “help people everywhere live healthier, happier lives–and that starts by realizing that you are the greatest force in your health journey.” A healthier, happier, less-stressed us? Sign us up! 

For some people, stress is a constant struggle and anxious thoughts are ever-present. For others, stress seems to come and go. Either way, Noom Mood is the perfect addition to your self-care routine. 

How Does Noom Mood Work? 

1. First, you’ll take a survey to help customize your Noom Mood experience. The survey asks about the root of your stress, how often you experience anxious thoughts, and what steps you take for self-care. 
2. Next, a graph gives you a visual representation of your predicted “mood benefits over time” based on your answers to the survey. The graph displays “positive mood moments” which may increase, and “neutral to negative mood moments” which could decrease. 
3. The user is in control, and the program can be self-paced. The app offers engaging tools, weekly activities, and one-on-one coaching to help encourage behavior change and overall well being.  
4. You will track your mood daily to see overall changes in trends in your moods, which will help you see your progress.
5. You will have a library with easy access to all of your favorite tools and techniques to help you alleviate stress and anxious thoughts.
6. The daily course takes around 10 minutes to complete. Then, you’ll carve out 15 minutes for the daily activity of your choice. And, don’t worry, you can always skip a day if needed. Noom will be right there when you’re ready! 

Logistics Of Noom Mood

• A 14-day free trial is available to new users, and after two weeks, the cost is $149 for a four-month plan. (Equal to $8.69 a week) 
• Noom Mood is available to Apple (iOS) or Android devices.
• Noom Mood is available to those in the US, currently.
• If you subscribe to Noom Weight, you can switch programs by reaching out to your 1:1 coach. 

My First Week With Noom Mood 

The first course in my curated version of Noom Mood called for creative visualization. The program encouraged me to envision a time when I didn’t feel stressed. 

I had to dig deep for this one. Honestly, it took a bit to think of a time where anxious thoughts or stress didn’t affect me. Even as a kid, school days were ridden with stress, stomach aches were ever-present, and I spent more time than I’d like to admit trying to avoid uncomfortable situations. 

However, through the courses, activities, and chats with my coach, I’ve realized how far I’ve actually come in managing my stress and anxious thoughts. The encouragement I’ve received from my coach has been helpful. She’s helped me focus on the positives in my life rather than dwelling on the negatives. She also asks great questions to help me dive deeper into what is driving my stress. 

Overall, while my stressors haven’t changed, my reactions and thoughts have started to shift. Obviously, I’m only a few weeks into the new year and my Noom Mood experience, but so far it’s all been really good! Noom Mood has helped me become more aware of how I spend my time and possibly contribute to my stress. 

Noom Mood has also encouraged me to carve out time for myself—just 10 minutes each day—that is productive, relaxing, and enjoyable. Yes, most of the time it’s after I put my toddler to bed. But, it’s much more preferable to the doom-scrolling that I was doing before starting Noom Mood!

You Are Worth The Effort

No matter what you are dealing with in your day to day, you are worth the time and effort to focus on improving yourself. Noom Mood makes it easy and affordable to prioritize yourself and mental well-being, so you can be a better you for everyone in your life. 
So, whenever you’re ready, Noom Mood is here to help you take on whatever is stressing you. Plus, they’ll never tell you to “stop worrying,” “relax,” or to “just chill.” Noom Mood could help you become a happier, less-stressed version of yourself. It’s up to you! Visit Noom Mood’s site to learn more, and take that first step in your wellness journey this year.  

We all know that meditation is a beneficial practice for both physical and mental health—especially in our increasingly busy and stressful lives. However, while meditation is becoming more and more mainstream, using crystals to enhance your practice is something many of us still don’t know much about. Meditating uses mindfulness to help you center yourself, clear your mind, and focus on your goals—and using a crystal along with your meditation can enhance these benefits. We know diving into a new practice can be a little intimidating, but have no fear! We’re here with a step-by-step guide to get you started on your crystal meditation journey.

Which Crystal Is Right For You?

Before you start meditating with crystals, the first step is to select the right crystals for your desired outcome. Different crystals have different abilities and strengths that you should take into consideration while preparing. Here are the best crystals for meditation and what they can help you with.

Clear Quartz For General Use

Clear quartz is your perfect starter stone. This crystal can be charged with your intention and desire, no matter what it may be. It clears your mind and gives you room to focus on your goals and wants. This crystal’s main strength is healing and clarifying. Additionally, pairing it with another crystal can amplify that crystal’s powers.

Selenite For Cleansing

Think of selenite as a tool to get into your energy and clean it out—like a juice cleanse for your mental state. This crystal can raise your vibration and make your energy cleared of toxicity and open for positivity and peace. Selenite will make you feel lighter and help you achieve equilibrium and heal, ridding you of old, toxic energy and making you fresh and new. You can also use selenite to charge your other crystals.

Hematite For Anxiety Control

Hematite can help calm anxiety. It grounds you in the present moment, drawing focus to what’s happening now and quelling racing thoughts that fuel an anxious mind. Meditating with this crystal will clear out fear and make you feel safe and comfortable in your own skin.

Rose Quartz For Love

Whether you’re going through a breakup, getting back into the dating game, or hoping for the best in your new relationship, rose quartz is the crystal for you. This crystal can help heal your broken heart and invite in new love. It also attracts self-love and self-worth. Meditating with this crystal will open you up to gentleness, compassion, and love for others and yourself. ​​

Citrine For Success 

Citrine is the energy-boosting crystal—like a dose of caffeine for your thoughts. Meditate with citrine for a pick-me-up when you’re in a slump or feeling uninspired. Citrine attracts abundance and positivity and will aid you in manifesting your goals and getting motivated.

Getting Started With Your Crystal

Before you’re ready to take the plunge on your crystal meditation, you’ll have to prepare a few things. It’s important to prep your crystal as well as your mind and body.

Set Your Intention

Start by grabbing a writing utensil and a notebook or piece of paper that you’ll use to begin and end your practice. When you’re ready, set an intention for this meditation. What is it that you’re looking for out of your session? What is the outcome you’re hoping to achieve? Take a minute to identify this, and write it down.

Cleanse Your Crystal

Before bringing your crystal along on your meditation journey, it’s important to make sure the crystal is at its peak efficacy. To do this, you’ll need to cleanse the crystal to ensure you don’t bring any stagnant, negative energy into your meditation. There are a few ways to cleanse your crystal. You can smoke cleanse your crystal by burning incense or wood. You can also bathe some crystals in salt water or sunlight. The safest option for all crystals is to buy a selenite charging plate to place your crystals on and leave them to cleanse. There are many ways to cleanse your crystals’ energy, so it might take some trial and error to find the best method for you and your crystal of choice.

Cleanse Yourself

Your crystal isn’t the only thing that needs to go into your meditation fresh and clean—you do too! As with your crystal, there are a few ways to make your energy fresh and open before your meditation practice. Salt baths can cleanse your energy and offer many other health benefits. Just add ¼ cup of sea salt to a warm bath and soak for 10-20 minutes. You’ve probably heard of burning sage to clarify the energy in your space before. This is also known as smoke cleansing, and it’s a great way to cleanse your energy before your meditation. If those options are too advanced, try grounding yourself. The point of grounding yourself is to make a connection with your body and calm your nervous system. There are many different ways to do this, but it can be as simple as becoming aware of your breath or the different parts of your body.

Beginning Your Meditation

Now that your preparation is complete, it’s time to begin your meditation. You’ll have to make some choices to ensure that the practice is tailored to your needs, but don’t be afraid to try different options until you find what works for you.

Choose Your Crystal

The best way to start is by choosing which crystal you’ll be using. You can review the crystals and what they offer to select the right one for your practice. Consider your goals and the intention you set and how these align with the different crystals’ abilities.

Choose Your Crystal Placement

Once you’ve selected your crystal, it’s time to choose where you’re going to place it during your meditation. Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong location for your crystal, so focus on which place feels best for you. It can be effective to place the crystal somewhere on your body or beside you. You can also hold it in your hands. If you’d prefer, you can make a circle of crystals or a grid of crystals around you. For a more advanced meditation, you can lie on your back with your crystals placed on the chakras that are most in need of opening. If you choose this option, think about which chakras align best with your intention.

Enhance With Scents

Your sense of smell is closely linked with your memory and emotions. Adding scents to your practice can help you to get deeper into your meditation. Incense, oils, or candles are effective ways of using scent to make your meditation deeper and intensify your focus.  Lavender, sage, and peppermint essential oils can be great choices for many different meditations.

Clear Your Mind

Focus solely on making your mind a blank slate and clearing all racing thoughts away. Slowly take three deep breaths. While inhaling, pull the energy from the world around you into yourself. Fill yourself with light and openness from the space surrounding you. Attach your body and mind to the present moment and your current space, postponing thoughts of the past or future until your practice is finished.

Get Focused

For ten to fifteen minutes, visualize the goal of your practice. Focus solely on what you want, and direct any wandering thoughts away for the time being. Clearing your mind and staying focused on one thing can be a challenge, but that’s your main goal during your meditation. If you find this particularly challenging, you can use a meditation app like Headspace to help you concentrate on the task at hand and ward away distracting thoughts. As you focus on your intention, envision yourself communicating this intention to your crystal. Be sure to note any sounds, sensations, or communications you receive from your crystal, and always redirect your thoughts back to your intention.

Finishing Your Meditation

Once you’ve completed your meditation, there are a few things to do to finish off your practice the right way. It’s important to do these things while you’re still in your meditating zone and the experience you had is still fresh in your mind.

Add To Your Journal

As soon as you’re finished, take a few minutes to journal about your experience. This is the time to reflect on how you felt during your meditation, how you feel now, and spend a little time in this headspace. You can also use your writing for reference later to help you with your future practices. What were the things you thought about? Did the crystals communicate anything to you? Is there anything you’d like to carry with you from this meditation and focus on as you move forward? Make note of it.

Express Gratitude

Finish by expressing gratitude for all the things you have—the little things and the big things. We all have something to be thankful for and rounding out your meditation with a focus on abundance and what you have is key to completing the practice and ending on a high note. Finally, thank your crystal for guiding you through this experience. Yes, communicating telepathically with your crystal might seem weird at first, but trusting the crystal you meditate with is a vital part of your practice. Soon, this will be second nature.

When it comes to meditating, practice makes progress; don’t strive for perfection. It will get easier with time, and knowing which crystals and strategies work best for you will become second nature. Happy meditating!

Feeling off lately? Blocked chakras can lead to physical and mental sluggishness, leaving you feeling unbalanced and depleted of energy. It manifests in various ways, often magnifying our negative characteristics. The solution is to restore your alignment by introducing chakra affirmations into your daily routine. 

What Are Chakras?

Typically associated with Hinduism and Buddhism, chakras were first used in a variety of ancient meditation practices. The most common chakra system used today is made up of seven energy centers found along the spine. It has links to other practices, including alchemy, astrology, gemstones, homeopathy, Kabbalah, and Tarot.

The seven chakras used today include the crown chakra (Sahasrara), third-eye chakra (Anja), the throat chakra (Vishuddha), the heart chakra (Anahata), the solar plexus chakra (Manipura), the sacral chakra (Swadhisthana), and the root chakra (Muladhara). By targeting a specific area with chakra affirmations, you can bring balance back to the body and spirit. 

What Are Chakra Affirmations?

Chakra affirmations are supportive phrases echoed periodically to unblock the chakras or the energy systems in the body. The self-help technique gets the energy to flow freely again, restoring balance to the physical, emotional, and spiritual health. 

While there is little scientific research to back up the effects of affirmations, a 2015 study found that self-affirmation greatly alters the brain’s response, aiding shifts in behavior. However, other researchers have shown that affirmations don’t work for everyone. A 2009 study found that this self-help technique has a negative impact on those with low self-esteem.  

How To Use Chakra Affirmations

There are various ways you can incorporate chakra affirmations into your daily routine. Before you get started, know that results aren’t instantaneous, and you will need to put in a reasonable amount of effort before you notice any changes. 

Here are some ways you can utilize chakra affirmations:

• Add them to your prayers
• Incorporate them into your meditations
• Listen to them on a recording
• Write them into a journal
• Read them out loud
• Create signs and hang them up around your house

You can enhance the effects of your affirmations by holding the stone or wearing jewelry in the color associated with the specific chakra you’re focusing on balancing. When you’re ready to get started, consider using these affirmations for chakra alignment. 

Crown Chakra Affirmations

The Sahasrara, or the crown chakra, is located at the top of the head and represents the highest level of enlightenment. It’s connected to higher consciousness, nondualism, self-realization, and universal awareness. The crown chakra’s purpose is to control inner and outer beauty, and spiritual connection.

Color: Violet/White

Stone: Clear quartz

Signs your crown chakra is balanced: Wisdom, presence, broad-mindedness, and the ability to question. 

Underactive crown chakra symptoms: Struggle learning, indifference, spiritual cynicism, closed-mindedness, and unyielding beliefs.

Overactive crown chakra symptoms: Disoriented, being “in your head”, extreme attachments, and over-thinking. 

Affirmations to try: 

• I am connecting to spiritual consciousness
• I experience unity with all things
• I am aligned with the highest aspect of my being
• I am filled with greatness
• I am an extension of the Universe, and the Universe is kind and loving

Third-Eye Chakra Affirmations

The Anja, or third-eye chakra, is located on the forehead between the eyes. It helps us see the big picture and connects to our intuition, imagination, and enlightenment.

Color: Dark Blue/Purple

Stone: Amethyst

Signs your third-eye chakra is balanced: Strong intuition, vivid imagination, excellent memory, great dream recall, and the ability to have visions.

Underactive third-eye chakra symptoms: Poor eyesight, weak memory, little or no dream recall, limited imagination, and insensitivity. 

Overactive third-eye chakra symptoms: Bad dreams, hallucinations, unhealthy fixations, and delusions. 

Affirmations to try:

• I am open to and trust the universe
• I am a wise decision-maker
• I see my life’s purpose clearly
• I am open to the truths of the universe
• I seek to understand and learn from my life experiences

Throat Chakra Affirmations

The Vishuddha, or throat chakra, is located in the throat. It’s connected to truth and self-expression and controls our ability to communicate honestly and clearly. 

Color: Light Blue/Turquoise

Stone: Aquamarine

Signs your throat chakra is balanced: A full resounding voice, clear communicator, great listener, having precise timing and rhythm.

Underactive throat chakra symptoms: Difficulty putting your thoughts into words, fear of speaking, having a weak voice, being timid.

Overactive throat chakra symptoms: Gossiping, babbling, stuttering, talking too much, and speaking too loud. 

Affirmations to try:

• I am filled with the power of spirit
• I am learning, and I am growing. We are all learning and growing
• I let my voice be heard
• I speak with authenticity, grace, and courage
• I express my creativity with ease and joy

Heart Chakra Affirmations

The Anahata, or heart chakra, is located in the chest and is considered the bridge between the upper and lower chakras. It influences your ability to give and receive love in regard to others and yourself. In addition to love, the heart chakra is associated with beauty, compassion, relationships, and healing. 

Color: Green

Stone: Rose Quartz

Signs your heart chakra is balanced: Healthy relationships, compassionate, empathetic, warm, tranquil, and content.

Underactive heart chakra symptoms: Fear of intimacy, antisocial, removed, judgmental, narrow-minded, and lack of empathy.

Overactive heart chakra symptoms: Jealousy, possession, codependency, too much attention on others, and poor boundaries.

Affirmations to try:

• My heart is open to giving and receiving love
• I feel compassion for myself and others
• When I love myself, loving others comes easily
• I love and appreciate myself as I am
• I forgive myself for my mistakes and I grow from them

Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations

The Manipura, or the solar plexus chakra, is located in the upper abdomen or stomach area. It controls your confidence, self-discipline, self-esteem, and decision-making abilities. When you experience butterflies or a pit in your stomach, you can thank your solar plexus chakra. 

Color: Yellow

Stone: Amber

Signs your solar plexus chakra is balanced: Responsible, dependable, self-disciplined, confident, friendly, active, and playful. 

Underactive solar plexus chakra symptoms: Indifference, lack of enthusiasm, digestion problems, tendency to be distant, accusing, low self-esteem, and lack of discipline.

Overactive solar plexus chakra symptoms: Overbearing, controlling, arrogant, driven, restless, and headstrong.

Affirmations to try:

• I am decisive and make clear choices
• I commit to my direction in life
• I am empowered to live my best life
• I accept myself completely. I accept that I have strengths, and I accept that I have weaknesses
• I am ambitious and capable of whatever I desire

Sacral Chakra Affirmations

The Swadhisthana, or the sacral chakra, is located in the lower abdomen several inches below the belly button. It relates to our emotions and the emotions of others. The sacral chakra controls creativity, sexuality, pleasure, self-expression, and overall well-being. 

Color: Orange

Stone: Tiger’s Eye

Signs your sacral chakra is balanced: Creativity, capable of embracing and adapting to change, emotional intellect, and the capacity to experience pleasure and desire.

Underactive sacral chakra symptoms: Rigid behavior, unemotional, fear of change, indifference, boredom, and lack the capacity to experience pleasure and desire.

Overactive sacral chakra symptoms: Lack of boundaries, sex addictions, unhealthy attachments, extreme mood swings, and oversensitive.

Affirmations to try:

• I embrace my vibrant sexuality
• I am free to express my emotions in a healthy way
• My creativity flows effortlessly
• I am comfortable in my body and I treat it with care
• I am spontaneous and I allow my intuition to guide me

Root Chakra Affirmations

The Muladhara, or root chakra, is located at the base of the spine near the tailbone. It serves as the foundation the rest of the system is built on and is responsible for our natural need to feel safe and grounded. The root chakra is linked to strength, community, stability, security, and survival senses.  

Color: Red

Stone: Hematite

Signs your root chakra is balanced: Being grounded, great physical health, being happy or content in your body, feeling safe and secure, stability, and success. 

Underactive root chakra symptoms: Worried, stressed, anxious, underweight, restless, insecure, and difficulty manifesting.

Overactive root chakra symptoms: Burdened, lack of energy, opposed to change, binge eating, hoarding, materialistic, greedy, and working too much. 

Affirmations to try:

• I nurture my body with what it needs to flourish
• I am deeply and safely connected to my body and the Earth
• I am at home, wherever I am
• I feel the ground firmly beneath my feet
• I am committed to fulfilling my life’s purpose

Takeaway

Despite research showing that affirmations don’t work for everyone, they’ve proven to work for most. Chakra affirmations are a useful self-help tool and can be a valuable addition to any wellness routine. When used properly, affirmations can improve the body’s energy flow, leading to improved self-confidence, motivation, and emotional and spiritual health. 

You’ll know your affirmations are working when you see a noticeable difference related to the chakras you’re working on in your active life. As chakras realign, you’ll begin to experience the common signs associated with them being balanced mentioned above. For example, if you focus on heart chakra affirmations, you may notice you’re more aware of healthy boundaries and can let go of your jealousy. These developments will ultimately lead to improved relationships, whether they’re romantic or otherwise. 

Use these tools to get started on your chakra alignment today and tap into your most authentic self. 

Do you feel tied to something or someone in your life that you wish you could break free from? A toxic ex? An addiction? A traumatic childhood memory that you just can’t get out of your mind? If the answer is yes, you may want to learn how to do a cord-cutting spell. People around the world swear by this popular ritual, which is designed to help you detach from negative forces in your life and heal the pain associated with them. Read on to learn more about this emotional-release technique and how you can do it on your own.

What Is Cord-Cutting?

At its essence, the practice of cord-cutting is about recovering healthy energy that has been lost to a negative force, whether it be a person, a place, a job, a bad habit, or something else that has damaged your life. Every time we interact with someone or something, we develop energetic cords that tie us to that person, place, or thing.

These cords aren’t always bad—often, they help us form deep, meaningful relationships with best friends and beloved family members. They also allow us to connect deeply with animals, nature, music, objects—basically anything we’re capable of forming an attachment to.

The problem is, when these people, places, or things no longer serve us in a healthy fashion, they start to drain us of our positive energy and drag us down with their negative energy. Remaining connected to these toxic ties can cause all sorts of physical, emotional, and spiritual problems, and will continue to weigh us down until we make a conscious effort to disconnect from them.

The Purpose Of Cord-Cutting Spells

That’s where cord-cutting spells come into play. They are the method by which you can separate yourself from these unhealthy energy cords and work towards re-establishing and restoring the positive ones that may have faded away.

Cord-cutting spells are most frequently used to detach from former romantic partners or other types of toxic relationships. However, they can also be used to free yourself from almost anything that has a negative hold on your life, whether it be a painful memory, an addiction to something like cigarettes or alcohol, or a negative character trait.

In some cases, you may not even realize you have a negative energy cord that needs to be cut. Common “symptoms” of unhealthy cording include depleted energy levels, unexplained lethargy, anxiety, depression, difficulty making decisions, and lowered immune function. If you’re experiencing any of these feelings and cannot figure out a specific cause, you may want to consider trying a cord-cutting spell.

What Do You Need For A Cord-Cutting Spell?

While cord-cutting spells aren’t terribly complicated, there are a number of things you’ll need in order to be successful. For starters, the spell must be performed during a full moon or on a Sunday, as both represent the completion of a cycle and the start of something new.

You’ll also need two candles in different colors—one to represent you and one to represent the negative person, place, or thing you’re wishing to detach from.

Other objects you should gather include:

• A lighter.
• An eight- to ten-inch piece of string.
• Two fire-proof bowls (use glass or ceramic) filled with sea salt.
• A smudging herb such as sage or palo santo.
• A flat plate or candle holders that can safely hold the candles.
• A photo. This one is optional—people usually include a photo when they are breaking free from a toxic person. If you choose to include a photo, make sure you have a fire-proof bowl in which it can be safely burned.
• Crystals. These are also optional, but if you’re into crystals or want to learn more about them, we recommend including selenite and black kyanite. Both of these healing crystals remove negative energy and hold potent energy cord-cutting powers.

Keep It Simple With A Cord-Cutting Set

Of course, if you don’t have all of these items or simply prefer using a cord-cutting set that’s already been curated for you, we recommend this beautiful handmade kit from PranavaSpiritualShop. It contains everything you need to perform the ritual, including a gorgeous piece of hand-tied smudging sage that’s sprinkled with rosebuds. The kit also comes with three candles, a small selenite knife, a copper bowl, and a crystal- and wildflower-infused cleansing spray.

If you’re looking for something a little simpler, we also like this reiki-charged cord-cutting kit from ABrighterWild, which includes two candles, a piece of twine, salt, and white sage. It also comes with a black velvet bag for storage, as well as a full set of instructions on how to use it to perform the cord-cutting ritual.

How To Do A Cord Cutting Spell

Now comes the practical part: how to perform a cord-cutting spell. Keep in mind that there are different ways to carry out this spell depending on what kind of cord you are cutting (i.e., an ex-lover, a traumatic memory or event, an addiction, etc.). The method we’re outlining here is a general one that can be applied to any type of toxic energy you wish to cut out of your life.

1. Cast A Circle

To begin, use your sage to cast a circle and create a safe, sacred space around yourself. This is also a good time to say a prayer and/or ask for protection from unwanted energy. If there’s any other type of ritual you like to perform before initiating a spell, go ahead and do it.

2. Arrange The String And Candles

Next, tie the ends of your string together to form a circle. Twist the string to form two loops and place the loops over each candle, tightening them at the top so they’re close to the wick. If your candles can stand up safely on their own, place them into the two bowls of salt. You can also use a candle holder or place the salt and candles on a flat plate—whatever is sturdiest and safest. If you’re using crystals, place them in the bowl or on top of the plate. Light the candles.

3. Visualization Is Key

Once you know the candles are stable and burning safely, close your eyes. Visualize what you’re wanting to break free from. For example, if it’s an ex, picture their face and imagine yourself interacting with them. If it’s a place or a memory, picture it as something you are observing from afar.

4. Speak Your Truth

Open your eyes. If you’re using a photo, lower it into one of the candle flames and hold it over your fire-proof bowl to collect the ashes as it burns. Recite the following line in a calm, clear voice: “I now sever and release any and all energetic cords that do not serve my highest good. I release you and I release me from these binds. All cords are destroyed, across all dimensions, times, and planes, never to return again.”

Next, wait until the string connecting the two candles catches the flame (if it’s taking too long, you can give it a careful nudge yourself). As the string burns and the flame moves across to the other candle, say: “I hereby banish these energetic cords and recover now all energy that was once lost. My energy flows back to me, filling me once again with vitality and creating now a peaceful energetic boundary of love and light.”

5. Envision The Restoration Of Your Positive Energy

Once the string has burned all the way over to the other candle, close your eyes again and imagine all the positive energy that has been depleted coming back into you. Picture the negative person, place, or thing fading away completely. Continue this practice as the candles burn all the way down to the bottom (this may take some patience on your part, but we promise it’s worth it!). Once the candles go out on their own, the spell is sealed.

6. Complete The Ritual By Cleaning Up

The final step is clean up—remove and discard any wax left in the bowls, pour the salt and photo ashes into a stream, pond, or another type of water source (even your toilet bowl is acceptable in a pinch!). Close your eyes and say the following: “Spirit of the water, please accept and wash away any of (person, place, or thing’s name) remaining energy. I release it from whence it came. Thank you.” Complete the ritual by closing your circle with your sage and reciting a prayer of your choice.

Look Forward To A Happier Future

In the days after performing your first spell, pay attention to how you feel. It’s likely you’ll feel lighter, happier, and more at ease with yourself. But if you don’t notice a major difference right away, don’t despair. Sometimes it takes a while for toxic cords to dissipate completely—especially if you’ve been holding on to them for a very long time. Have faith and remember that you can always try again!

Do you ever feel like your personality has a dark side? Like there are things about yourself you try to ignore or purposely keep hidden from other people? While it may sound a bit sinister (and straight out of the Star Wars universe), these feelings are actually quite common. Some psychology experts believe there can be big emotional benefits to uncovering these buried truths about ourselves and confronting them via a process called shadow work. But what is shadow work, exactly? And how can you use it to improve your self-awareness and boost your overall well-being? Here’s an in-depth look at this popular practice, as well as some suggestions for getting started.

What Is Shadow Work?

Shadow work is a psychological practice based on principles popularized by noted Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung. Jung believed that all human beings have a “shadow self,” which is a part of the psyche that stores the emotions and traits we learned to reject and suppress in childhood.

For example, say you were scolded for having an angry outburst when you were a young kid. In an effort to behave in a more socially acceptable manner, you may have pushed down that (very natural) feeling of anger, unconsciously equating it with being bad. That suppressed anger would become part of your “shadow self,” along with other emotions you may have suppressed because you perceived them as negative, such as jealousy, selfishness, dishonestly, or greed.

The thing is, while negative traits and emotions are ones we aspire to avoid, all human beings experience them from time to time. Shadow work is designed to help you uncover and identify these suppressed feelings, forgive yourself for having them, and process them in an open, honest way that allows you to grow as a person. Essentially, it’s a comprehensive exercise in self-exploration, one that gives you an opportunity to heal past traumas and care for your inner self in ways that are more constructive and compassionate.

How To Enhance Your Shadow Work Experience

Because it involves digging deep into your psyche and tapping into areas of your personality that may make you feel comfortable, shadow work is not easy. It can be a very painful process, which is why most experts recommend enlisting the help of a professional therapist to guide and support you on your journey. Coupling shadow work with talk therapy can be extremely beneficial, as it provides a safe, judgment-free space for you to explore the painful memories and feelings as they come up and address them in a healthy way.

There are also non-talk forms of therapy that can help enrich your shadow work process, including art therapy, journaling, psychodrama, and dance therapy. In fact, studies show that body and movement-oriented practices such as yoga, tai-chi, and body-based somatic therapy are effective exercises for helping people work through trauma and improve their overall emotional well-being.

The Benefits Of Shadow Work

Jung once said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Proponents of shadow work believe its benefits are so numerous and profound precisely for this reason because it allows you to address suppressed emotions that may be affecting your life in ways you are not even aware of. While peer-reviewed research on shadow work is extremely limited, many experts believe these unrealized emotions can contribute to a wide range of emotional and physical problems, including low self-esteem, chronic illness, and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

According to Healthline and MindBodyGreen, some of the biggest benefits of shadow work include:

• Healthier interactions with others. When you begin to develop a deeper understanding of the types of feelings that trigger you, it becomes easier for you to trust your instincts and protect yourself in your relationships with others. For example, you may learn how to speak up and advocate for firm boundaries with pushy people in your life.
• Learning how to trust your gut. If you were discouraged from using your intuition as a child (as in the anger example we mentioned earlier), it may have led you to become distrustful of your gut instincts in general. Shadow work can help you identify this distrust by allowing you to get back in touch with the healthy instincts that are closely connected to who you are as a person and designed to protect you.
• Getting your needs met. Our shadow selves can cause us to engage in self-destructive behaviors that can have a profound effect on the quality of our lives. For instance, if you had an unavailable parent who made you feel needy or overbearing for wanting more attention, you might become closed off and have trouble expressing affection in future relationships. Uncovering this behavior and learning its cause through shadow work can help you change it with less resistance and more understanding and compassion for yourself.
• Healing familial trauma. Suppressed emotions frequently stem from childhood trauma caused (often unintentionally) by a parent or caregiver. This includes hurts and behaviors that have been repeated and handed down within families for generations. Shadow work can help you break the cycle of these generational traumas by giving you the power to identify, process, and change these often unrecognized behaviors.

The Cons Of Shadow Work

Most experts agree that there are a few downsides to shadow work. In general, it’s a highly beneficial therapeutic practice that can help you improve your self-awareness and become more connected with your true inner self. In fact, some professionals believe that denying or ignoring the negative aspects of your personality (which is sometimes referred to as “shadow repression”) can be dangerous because it may increase trigger anxiety or depression, and/or lead to maladaptive self-soothing behaviors such as drug or alcohol misuse.

That said, shadow work is not something that should be taken lightly. As previously mentioned, it’s recommended that you seek the guidance of a mental health professional to help you walk through the process with adequate support. This is especially true if you already struggle with mental health or substance use disorders. And if you are going through a particularly tough time in your life, such as a breakup, a divorce, or grieving the death of a loved one, it may be best to hold off on trying shadow work until you are in a less vulnerable emotional state.

Shadow Work Prompt Samples

One of the easiest ways to get started with shadow work (and gain a better understanding of the types of behaviors and issues you’ll be exploring within yourself as part of the process), is to work with shadow work prompts.

This practice, which is sometimes referred to as shadow journaling, involves answering a series of questions designed to serve as starting points for self-exploration. In addition to providing you with a general guide, shadow journaling can help you get into the habit of doing this type of work on a regular basis, which can help make the process feel less overwhelming.

For example, you can dedicate 10 to 15 minutes a day to answering a couple of questions on the list. This will keep your practice consistent while also preventing you from obsessing over them or neglecting other important areas of your life.

We recommend using a diary or notebook that’s completely dedicated to your shadow work practice. This will help keep you organized and allow you to easily look back at your answers as you move forward in the process. The journal can be as ornate or plain as you like—the trick is to use something that you’ll want to write in each day.

To help you get started, here are some shadow work prompt suggestions. These questions are designed to get you thinking about aspects of your personality and areas of your life that you may not typically take into consideration.

• What are some of the goals you wish to achieve by doing shadow work?
• Have you ever tried self-improvement exercises such as therapy? What was the result?
• When you’re angry, how do you typically react? Do you lash out at people or tend to bottle your feelings up inside?
• Has your reaction to anger always been this way, or do you remember a time when handled the emotion differently?
• Do you have memories of feeling angry during your childhood? What were the reasons for your anger?
• Did your parents or caregivers often express anger toward you when you were growing up? How did it make you feel?
• Are there traits in your parents or caregivers that you now see in yourself, negative or otherwise? When did you begin to notice these traits in yourself?
• Who did you look up to the most when you were growing up? What traits about them did you admire?
• What are the worst traits you believe a person can have? Can you recall a time when you’ve demonstrated these traits?
• Write about a time you felt betrayed by someone you trusted. What feelings did the experience trigger in you?
• What do you wish you could change about yourself? Do you believe there are steps you can take to do so?
• Are there positive traits about yourself that you think other people frequently overlook? If so, what are they and why do you think people don’t easily recognize them?
• Describe one of your most upsetting childhood memories. Include details about who was there, how they played a part in the situation, and how it made you feel.
• Write down the beliefs and values your parents or caregivers tried to uphold as you were growing up. Do you still share these beliefs and values?
• Do you find it difficult to ask for help? Do you believe asking for help is an indication of strength or a sign of weakness?
• What are some traits about yourself that you like the least? How do these traits most frequently present themselves in your daily life?
• What are some traits about yourself that you like the most? How do they most frequently present themselves in your daily life?
• Do you find it easy to forgive people or do you tend to hold grudges?
• Are there people in your life you haven’t forgiven for hurting you? List who they are, what they did, and how you currently feel about them.
• Have you ever broken a promise to someone or otherwise let them down? How did it make you feel?
• Have you ever broken a promise to yourself? How did it make you feel?
• Do you find it difficult or easy to lie? How important is honesty to you in relationships?
• What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told? Do you believe you were justified in telling this lie?
• Do you believe self-care is important? What are some of the ways in which you practice self-care?
• Are there any questions you had as a child that you never got the answer to? Do you have the answers now?

If you’ve ever researched how to turn your dreams and goals into reality, you’ve likely come across some information on manifestation. Many people have misconceptions about the practice though, believing it’s just a habit of thinking aspirational thoughts about a career goal, love interest, or money with the purpose of turning them into reality.

However, manifestation requires more than putting positive vibes out into the universe and lying around waiting for a response. You can imagine yourself as the CEO of your own business or as the star of a new reality show all you want, but if that were enough, we’d all be retired billionaires by the time we hit 30. 

Manifesting works, but only if you do it right. Before learning how to manifest something, we first need to cover the basics. 

What Is Manifestation?

Manifestation is the practice of making the things you want a reality by means of thought actions, beliefs, and mindset. The method requires you to choose a specific goal, regularly work towards it, and focus on your objective. Where people get confused is how manifestation relates to quantum physics.  

According to quantum physics, all matter was connected at one time, dating back to the Big Bang. Despite being separated during the creation of the universe, we’re all still connected. According to Bell’s Theorem, two bits of matter can connect and interact with one another, regardless of distance from each other. Essentially, this means all matter in the universe is connected and constantly in communication. 

Manifesting Includes Many Different Parts

Before you can take the steps toward learning how to manifest goals, you need to fully understand the different parts of the process. Doing so will help you be more successful in achieving your goals. 

The Necessity Of Mindfulness

There are several mindfulness exercises that connect you with the universe and encourage manifestation. The goal of mindfulness is to elevate your vibration or frequency by practicing these exercises daily. 

Certified Mindfulness Coach Melissa Maxx explains: “You can use a mindfulness practice to help manifest positive things. Set mini mindfulness breaks throughout the day (set an alarm on your phone) and use the opportunity to check in with your thoughts. Once you start doing this you will be amazed to discover that your inner monologue is full of negative self-talk, worry, and anger. We are all unconsciously living in a lower frequency the majority of our lives.” 

Each of our thoughts uses a specific amount of energy and holds a particular vibrational rate. Typically, the better our mood is, the higher our frequency is, as it correlates with our emotions and level of consciousness. What we do and feel at any given moment is a direct result of the energy we receive from or transmit to the universe.

How The Law Of Attraction Fits Into It All

The Law of Attraction is a Universal Law that states people attract the things they focus on. It occurs constantly, whether we recognize it or not. Since the vibrations from our thoughts and actions attract matter with similar vibrations, we can technically change our thoughts to attract the things we want in life. 

Now you may be wondering how manifesting is different from the Law of Attraction. The connection we have with matter and the universe describes the Law of Attraction. It exists in our lives whether we focus on it or not. When we are manifesting our goals, however, we are taking specific actions that allow us to attract the things we want. Manifesting requires focus and movement while the Law of Attraction simply exists. 

To learn how to manifest goals, we must understand how the Law of Attraction works. There are several principles you should know:

1. Like attracts like. Our emotions will attract those on the same wavelength, which is why misery loves company.
2. Mindset controls everything else. Having a positive mindset will attract more positive outcomes in your life. 
3. Visualize and verbalize what you want. Tell the universe in detail what your goals are or what you want in life by imagining it or writing it out. 
4. The cause and effect. Every decision influences your life, bringing you closer or further from your goal. 
5. Giving is essential. By giving to the universe, you send out positive vibrations and leave yourself more open to receiving. 

The Law Of Creation Is Important, Too

When learning how to manifest something, it’s important to also consider the Law of Creation. The Fullness of Life Team explains it best: “Many forget the law of creation which states what you give is what you get. Because we are all unified, when you focus on giving love and goodness out selflessly… you get back 10 times what you put out but only if it’s backed by a pure, loving intention. For example, if you desire money- give some. Buy someone in need their meal. Pay it forward and watch the blessings roll in because you feel good, joyful, and loving which attract more of the experiences that create the same feelings in turn.”

When looking to give, it doesn’t have to be material items. Consider using your skills or talents to create something that benefits others. 

Brain Hack Yourself With Affirmations

Affirmations are statements that inspire or remind us of our strengths. By selecting a few that appeal to you, affirmations can reprogram the subconscious mind into believing certain things about ourselves. They boost confidence, increase happiness, and help people attract positive things in their lives. 

These are some of my favorite affirmations:

• I take action every day to move towards my goal.
• Instead of obsessing over new goals and achievements, I build on the work that is already thriving. 
• A little progress each day adds up to big results.  

You can write your own affirmations, or search online and choose those that apply best to your life and goals. They work best when repeated daily. Some people choose to keep them on notecards and repeat them out loud. Others choose to have them on signs or post-it notes in clear sight around the house. Do what works best for you!

Create A Vision Board

A vision board is another form of affirmation that offers a visual representation of your goals. It’s a fun project that can help you focus on what you want out of life. There’s no right or wrong way to make one, but it’s often best for the board to focus on a specific area of your life. 

For example, you may want to create a vision board to help you manifest love and a relationship, but also want to focus on your career goals. Instead of putting them all on one vision board, it’s better to make two so you take the time to focus on each separately. This makes it easier for you to find clarity and direction regarding each goal.

Consider Using The 369 Method

The 369 Method is the latest trend on how to manifest something, recently gaining popularity on TikTok. Its name is derived directly from how it’s practiced. The method entails creating an affirmation based on what you want to manifest. For example, if you want to manifest love then your affirmation could be “I will find love and a healthy relationship.” You then write your affirmation three times in the morning, six times during the day, and nine times at night. 

The method was first introduced by inventor Nikola Tesla and is directly related to the Law of Attraction. In fact, each number has significance. The three symbolizes our connection to the universe, the six our inner strength and balance, and the nine our inner rebirth. 

Don’t forget, for any of these affirmations to work, they must coincide with action. 

How To Manifest What You Want

Ready to start manifesting your goals into reality? Our step-by-step guide can help you get started. But first, some inspirational words from Holistic Life Coach and Reiki Master, Arielle Sterling: “Take actionable steps forward with intentional action towards your goal. If you’re looking to meet someone, it won’t happen by you staying inside and being a hermit. If you’re looking to pay off debt, start by making an extra payment. In doing this, you are pushing the manifestation forward, and giving it extra force. Think of a snowball growing as it travels down a hill, it may not start large, or with much force, but a little push goes a long way!”

Step 1: Determine Your Goal

The first step to manifesting something is narrowing down what your goal is. Try to be as specific as possible. For example, instead of manifesting a promotion at work, manifest the exact position you want, when you’ll be promoted, and what kind of raise it comes with. 

Step 2: Ask For What You Want

After you’ve finalized the things you want, it’s time to manifest them. Do this by writing them down, turning them into affirmations, praying or meditating over them, visualizing them, and saying them out loud. You may even want to create a vision board or give the 369 Method a try.

Step 3: Take Action

As we now know, manifesting your dreams only works if you take action. Find some time to come up with the actions you’ll need to take to make your affirmations a reality and start adding them to your daily routine. If that seems too overwhelming, start by writing down three actions you can do today that will bring you closer to your goal and go from there. 

Step 4: Trust The Process

Manifesting your dreams won’t happen overnight. If you find yourself getting frustrated with the process, you’re putting negative vibrations into the universe and will only get negativity in return. Before you give up, consider what may be inhibiting your progress. Often self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy are at the root of these emotions and can be resolved by adding related affirmations to your daily routine. 

Step 5: Acknowledge What You Receive

The universe is reaching out and giving you things to help you reach your goals all the time. Be on the lookout for signs of these gifts, and acknowledge them by logging them in a journal. These gifts can be in the form of a break on your cable bill or an inspirational quote on Instagram. Acknowledging these gifts keeps us in sync with the universe, ultimately resulting in more gifts. 

Step 6: Check On Your Energy Levels Often

Check in with yourself regularly. Are you still functioning at high vibration levels? Are you giving off positivity? If you’re in a slump, try meditation or mindfulness exercises to bring your vibration levels back up. You can also try to do activities that make you happy, even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day. 

Remember, self-care is essential whether you’re actively manifesting your goals or not!

Self-love is more than just the latest buzzword—it’s changing habits to improve your relationship with yourself. Using spiritual tools like crystals for self-love is the best way to clear blockages and give your efforts a vibrational boost.   

Since crystals carry a natural positive vibration, they transfer their energy to you while you’re using them. This is why using crystals for self-love will intensify your overall results. It’s important to focus on using the best crystals for self-love though. 

Once you find the right crystal, it’s time to put it to work. Crystals can be used in various ways, including wearing them as jewelry, holding them during meditation, having them around while journaling, and using them in the bathtub. Just be wary to not put them in the water, some will rust or literally dissolve!

The Importance Of Self-Love

Improving the relationship you have with yourself will ultimately help to strengthen the relationships you have with others. If you can’t show yourself compassion and love, how do you expect to show it towards others? Self-love can also help you raise your vibration level, which helps the manifestation of your goals using the law of attraction. 

It’s also believed that self-love improves mental health by reducing depression and anxiety. By prioritizing yourself and your needs you’ll feel less stressed, achieve self-acceptance, and be happier overall. 

The Different Crystals For Self-Love

Using crystals for self-love will add its positive energy to yours, turning you into a magnet for positivity. You can use crystals for self-love by placing a stone near your beauty and self-care products for several hours allowing them to absorb its energy or by adding it to your bath (please make sure to check it’s water safe!). 

Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is a pink and pearly crystal used for attracting love of all kinds. It opens you up to new levels of patience, compassion, and forgiveness towards others and most importantly, towards yourself. Rose quartz is one of the best stones to help you work through blockages regarding self-worth and confidence. Using it will remind you of your value and that you are deserving of love. 

The rose quartz stone is linked to both the Heart and the Throat Chakra. It opens up users to more than just love, as it promotes healing communication among family and promotes a deeper bond with others. If your Heart Chakra is blocked you may find yourself stuck in a codependent relationship, be overly jealous, have trust issues, and feel unworthy of love.

Rose quartz has a vibration level that can fix these relationship issues by serving those looking to reduce feelings of self-sabotage, improve their self-esteem, and any parents looking to strengthen their bond with their kids. When used for self-love, rose quartz can help you feel connected and comforted as it repairs your alignment.

Amazonite

Amazonite comes in various shades of green and blue and is bound with warrior energy. This strength originated with the Amazonite warriors who used amazonite stones on their shields. The crystal has also adorned the tombs of queens, Egyptian pharaohs, and other powerful leaders. 

Amazonite stones are ideal for easing the nervous system as it’s linked to reducing stress and anxiety. It is also great for those who struggle with setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. Using this crystal for self-love will lead to courage, honesty, and openness. It also cultivates rational thinking, tranquillity, and compassion. 

As a stone that connects with the Heart and Throat Chakra, Amazonite aids open communication and self-expression. It also reduces melancholy and steers users away from destructive behavior caused by pain or disappointment. Like rose quartz crystals, these stones have energy that boosts self-esteem and patience, making them an ideal option for self-love practices. 

Rhodonite

Rhodonite crystals are usually pink with black spots and white veins. Focusing on the Heart and Root Chakra, this crystal improves self-confidence and promotes emotional independence. When used for self-love, rhodonite can give users inner strength and healing, making it the ideal crystal to help you get over a breakup or grief.

Rhodonite focuses on complete soul nourishment. It encourages users to be more compassionate to themselves, promoting recognition and awakening of talents. This crystal will keep you balanced by pushing you away from self-destructive habits and towards the clean energy of your Heart Chakra space.

Use rhodonite as your self-love crystal when you’ve experienced a trauma that took a toll on your confidence. These stones can help to comfort you during difficult times and encourage you to forgive, rebuild, and move forward. 

Carnelian

Carnelian crystals are shades of red and orange and are said to balance and open the Sacral Chakra. Their energy provides strength, passion, and bravery specifically for those who fear public speaking. Known as “The Singer’s Stone,” carnelian crystals can help the timid speak or sing in front of an audience. In ancient times, warriors wore these beautiful stones around their necks to heighten their courage and strength during battle. 

Carnelian also increases coordination during physical activity as it stimulates the muscles and improves oxygen flow. It can even help to stimulate sex drive and boost fertility. Also referred to as “The Artist’s Stone,” carnelian crystals will help get your creatives juices flowing, inspiring you to draw, paint, write, dance, sing, and more. 

The carnelian connects to three lower Chakras, the first being the Root Chakra which keeps users grounded and balanced. These stones are also linked to the Sacral Chakra, which improves attitudes and stimulates appetites, and also connects to the Solar Plexus Chakra, which oversees our character and ego and helps users overcome any obstacles they face. They should be used when your self-love needs a more aggressive approach. 

Citrine

Citrine ranges in color from light yellow to gold and functions as a self-love crystal that provides users a pick-me-up. Its bright energy helps chase away negativity by instilling in users the power of positivity, and the strength of a warrior. Citrine stones are often compared to the sun as they offer similar benefits such as physical warmth and mood-lifting. 

Using citrine appeals to both the Solar Plexus and the Sacral Chakra. The Solar Plexus Chakra gives us our warrior strength and power. If the Solar Plexus Chakra is blocked you may struggle with your confidence, and have a hard time keeping negative energy out. The Sacral Chakra connects to desire, creativity, and intimacy. If your Sacral Chakra is blocked, you may feel overwhelmed and have feelings of detachment.

Using citrine crystals for self-love will help you attract feelings of optimism, self-worth, and creativity. It’ll help you stay grounded, ward off negative energy, and draw out your inner strength. Any worries or struggles you may be having will roll off your shoulders and help you to remain positive. 

Rhodochrosite 

Rhodochrosite crystals are salmon in color, rightfully named after the Greek word for pink. They connect to the Heart Chakra and can help you unearth love and mercy. These stones also promote healing from trauma and suppressed memories from present or past lives. When trauma from past lives impacts your current life, it can create unwanted barriers that prevent you from being open to love and relationships. 

Rhodochrosite vibrates with love energy that heals your heart, energy field, and Use rhodochrosite crystals to attract love to your life, settle matters of the heart, and reduce self-doubt. It’ll help you learn to be compassionate towards others as well as yourself. They encourage you to open yourself up to relationships without judgment or expectations and will soften the blow when future heartaches come your way. A lesser-known benefit of rhodochrosite is that it can bring friends or family members you’ve lost touch with back into your life. They’ll help you get in touch with your inner child, lead you to forgiveness, and find your path in life. 

Experiencing the effects of negative emotions can take their toll on our body, mind, and spirit. The stressors in our lives can sometimes make it feel like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders, leading to feelings of intense anxiety and losing interest in things we used to love. You’re not alone. Life can be difficult at times and looking for ways to help cope is a great step. 

For many, crystals have been a great tool to help overcome—or better deal with—these feelings of anxiety and depression. Gemstones and crystals have been known to possess healing properties that can help soothe your mind, body, and soul—and we’ve found ten of the most effective and calming. Here are some of the best crystals for anxiety and depression. Note: don’t forget to cleanse your crystals to make sure they’re working at full power!

If you or anyone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression, or having thoughts of suicide, speak with someone today by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or by chatting to someone on their website. 

Blue Lace Agate

Blue Lace Agate (find stones here) is a crystal that is well-known for its anxiety-reducing effects. This gorgeous stone is closely associated with communication and the throat chakra. It was first discovered in the waters of Sicily’s Achates River—at that time, agates were considered priceless and were able to calm raging storms. When communication in your life seems to be muddled, tensions can often rise high. This gorgeous stone can help you overcome anxiety with communication, allowing you to speak up and instilling clarity with your words.

Help clear your throat chakra by wearing a piece of Blue Lace Agate jewelry around your neck. You can also display a crystal in your office to help you communicate clearly without any frustration or tension. Looking to sleep on a thought or issue? Place Blue Lace Agate next to your bed to promote restful and calming energy while you sleep. 

Black Tourmaline

Jet black in color, Black Tourmaline (find stones here) is the guardian of your spirit. Ever since it was discovered in 1400 in Germany, it has been used to expand consciousness. Helping ease anxiety in a flash, Black Tourmaline acts as a shield from negativity and harmful EMFs (electromagnetic fields). During serious times of stress, this dark and stunning stone can help you find balance and regain your stability and confidence—it’s even said to soothe panic attacks. 

Calm your root chakra by adorning yourself with Black Tourmaline jewelry. Place the crystal in your palm while relaxing or meditating to help release tension. And be sure to keep Black Tourmaline near your electronics to negate harmful EMFs. 

Amethyst

Amethyst (find stones here) is known for being a natural de-stressor with soothing powers and has a history that goes back to 25,000 B.C.—being used by both the Greeks and the Romans. This captivating stone is ideal for those days that feel overwhelming and heavy. Bringing clarity to the soul, Amethyst attracts calming vibes and even helps manage emotional swings. 

Best used for the crown and third-eye chakras, Amethyst is a powerful crystal to carry around wherever you go. Place a stone on your heart while meditating or performing breathing exercises. For daily use, wear Amethyst jewelry or display the crystal in your bedroom for a deeper sleep. 

Moonstone

Moonstone (find stones here) can come in a variety of beautiful colors with magical properties—ranging from milky white to dark gray and vivid blue—that seem to clear the clouds of stress, anxiety, and depression. In India, this stone has been used for centuries as a tool for clairvoyance. Known for harnessing feminine divine energy, Moonstone brings balance to your emotions—perfect to use on those days when you’re not quite feeling like yourself or you’re a bit lost. 

Also a helper of the crown and third-eye chakras, Moonstone can be used and worn much like Amethyst. In fact, using crystals in combination can amplify their healing properties. When you keep this symbol of the moon around in your life, this stone will help keep you connected to the power of the universe. 

Rhodonite

For those with deep-seated trauma, Rhodonite (find stones here) could be a very beneficial crystal to bring into your daily life and meditation practices.  First discovered in Russia in the 1790s, it has since been used for healing across the globe. This pale pink and black stone gives off loving vibrational energy that can help heal emotional trauma while encouraging self-love. If you suffer from intense negative thoughts, this could be a good pairing for you. 

Associated very closely with the heart, Rhodonite heals and balances the heart chakra. When you wear or display this stone, your confidence will soar. Use a palm stone while relaxing. You also have the option to wear jewelry so you can connect the stone with your aura every day. 

Lepidolite

Extremely effective at soothing stress, Lepidolite (find stones here) is an incredible crystal. First discovered in the 19th century, it was originally named Lilalite after its soft coloring, however, it was later named after the Greek word Lepidos—meaning ‘scale’—due to the crystal’s dragon-like appearance. This stone naturally contains lithium which is used as an anti-anxiety medication and to treat mood swings and depression. No matter what is being thrown at you in life, Lepidolite is there to create a cloud of calm. 

This purple and pink crystal is a friend of the heart and third-eye chakras. Wear Lepidolite jewelry to help you shift through tough transitions. Nurture yourself while you sleep by placing the crystal near your bedside.

Rose Quartz

Celebrated for its ability to attract love and compassion, Rose Quartz (find stones here) is a very nurturing crystal. Worn as jewelry by the Assyrians as far back as 800 B.C., this stone has been known to have many healing powers. Bringing a sense of serenity, Rose Quartz is a fantastic tool to use when you need a reminder that you are worthy and loved. Light pink in color, this crystal is also known to help you deal with feelings of anger or resentment. 

Healer of the heart chakra, Rose Quartz keeps our emotions centered. Place a heart or a sphere of this stone in your bedroom for an aura of tranquility. Practice long meditation sessions with a Rose Quartz palm stone. Or keep a piece in your pocket as a reminder to show yourself compassion throughout the day. 

Kyanite

When fear, anger, and despair enter your life, Kyanite (find stones here) is a soother for the soul. Discovered and used all across the globe, it has a purifying element. Encouraging overall mental clarity, this baby blue crystal can assist you with your logical reasoning. Since the stone doesn’t hold on to any negative energy—it’s self-cleansing—Kyanite is great for reducing unpleasant feelings on days when nothing seems to go right. 

Known for aligning all of the chakras (although most strongly with the throat and third-eye chakras), Kyanite is a symbol of spiritual wellness. An eye-catching Kyanite necklace will help you communicate more clearly. Displaying the crystal in your main living area or where you entertain can also prevent and frustrations or confusion in communication. 

Aquamarine

Like the soothing waves of a calm sea, the captivating blue stone of Aquamarine (find stones here) keeps you steady and at ease. This captivating stone was carried by sea merchants to protect them from their fear of drowning and used by Greeks for a safe passage at sea. When you’re experiencing a million thoughts at once, Aquamarine can feel like a savior. Pull yourself back into a state of safety by letting this crystal’s healing properties wash over you. 

Clearing both the heart and throat chakra, Aquamarine is ideal for expressing and communicating your emotions. Carry a piece of the ocean-like stone when you need to make peace with your past or use it as a powerful meditation tool to manifest a peaceful future event. 

Lapis Lazuli

Connect to your higher self and your greater truth by using the brilliantly blue stone of Lapis Lazuli (find stones here). Praised by the ancient Egyptians, you’ll often find this stone in artwork and depictions, being worn by queens, pharaohs, and goddesses. When you find yourself focused on too many of the little things instead of the bigger picture, Lapis Lazuli helps you rise above—lifting out of any anxiety or stress. Used in many ancient cultures, this stone is often known for helping find wisdom. 

Linked to the third-eye chakra, it’s no surprise that Lapis Lazuli assists with anything to do with knowledge, insight, and intuition. Wear this stone when you’re finding it difficult to focus. Sleep with Lapis Lazuli near your bed when you want to have a revitalizing and nourishing night’s sleep. 

To this day, learning about and using crystals is considered “woo-woo.” For a lot of people, the term brings forward visions of some granola-munching hippie who dances naked under the full moon—or maybe that’s just me. While I’m not that kind of crystal owner (there’s still hope), they aren’t just for witches, hippies, or any other sub-group. Anyone interested in bringing a little extra somethin’ somethin’ into their lives, be it clarity or chaos, there is a crystal for it. Hematite helps reduce anxiety, while Citrine brings success. Then you have the chaotic neutral crystal, Moldavite…which you do not touch unless you’re ready for some upheaval. 

Regardless of which crystal you choose, the majority of crystals need cleansing. This holds true even if they’re brand new. From sourcing to shipping, to finally landing in your hands, crystals go through a lot. Even though they hold their own purpose and energy, it’s similar to how you are sometimes bogged down with negativity. A good “bath” goes a long way. The good news is that you have multiple options for crystal cleansing and are (almost) completely free.

Smoke Cleansing

This one is a popular option but must be given great care to avoid appropriation. It’s common for people to use white sage for smudging spaces, objects, and people, but it’s considered cultural appropriation. On top of that, there is a serious concern with over-harvesting for the already threatened plant. Instead, you can burn items like herbs, wood, and incense. Herbs that are great for smoke cleansing are lavender, rose, cedar, and sweetgrass. 

Make sure you use a fire-safe bowl, like a cast-iron cauldron and if you’re burning inside a dwelling, keep a window open. When the fire is lit and the smoke is flowing well, wave the crystal through the smoke for around thirty seconds. Imagine everything negative floating away from the smoke and out the window.

If you’re looking for a kit, to save time and trouble, check out this Cedar smoke cleansing kit and Lavender/Pine smoke cleansing kit.

Selenite Charging Plate

A Selenite charging plate is probably the easiest and safest for all crystals. It does require a small purchase but this crystal is an all-purpose little thing. The beauty of Selenite is that it does not need charging or cleansing—that is its entire job in the first place. A charging plate is the perfect flat surface where you can place multiple crystals on top of it. You can even use it to cleanse your tarot cards, items from your altar (if you have one), and even yourself! 

Saltwater Bath

I may or may not be the person who drags all of their crystals to a beach vacation. Saltwater is one of the best healing sources on the entire planet. After a decade of living in Hawaii, I learned that saltwater can cure almost anything. The flu, injuries, acne, a broken heart—you name it and the ocean can cure it. The same goes for crystals. 

However, if you’re unable to lounge near turquoise waters any time soon, then purified water with some natural salt (not table salt) will absolutely do in a pinch. There is a small caveat: not all crystals can or should get wet. Check out a more detailed list here. Below are some common examples.

P.S. You can also use moon water for a salt-less water bath, as described below. 

Safe in water: All quartz minerals, including Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, and Amethyst. 
Not safe in the water: Most crystals that end in “ite” should avoid water. This includes Hematite, Labradorite, Pyrite. The crystal named above, Selenite, will literally dissolve.

Light Of The Full Moon

For thousands of years, human culture has revolved around the moon. It’s this enigmatic slice of the universe that floats above us, marking the passage of time when the sun slumbers. In Wiccan culture, it is the center of most spells. In the most basic sense, a new moon represents new beginnings, while the full moon represents endings. There are, more often than not, a lot of intentionalities that go into the full moon for so many people, and crystal cleansing is the main staple of it. It’s free, it’s easy, it’s effective. 

All you need to do is place your crystals on a flat surface, preferably in direct moonlight. This is still effective when it’s overcast—the clouds refract the mellow light. Leave them out overnight for the best effect. In my personal opinion and practice, I only use moonlight for the crystals I use for grounding. To me, the moon represents stabilization, centering, and peace. It’s perfect for my Hematite, Obsidian, and Tourmaline. Not everyone prescribes to this belief, so make sure to hone in on your instincts to decide.

To create moon water for a more grounding cleanse, take some purified water (boiled is fine) and place it in a cleansed container. Leave it out overnight under the full moon. You can use it to cleanse your crystals, use it in spells, or even drink it.

A Sunlight Bath

The greatest source of energy on our planet can also be one of the most cleansing. The heat and life-giving properties of our star overlord can be perfect for cleansing and charging your crystals. The sun is absolutely more for charging than cleansing, but it can also be a great fit for cleansing powerful crystals such as Aventurine, Citrine, Malachite, Tourmaline, and Clear Quartz. Leave it in the sunlight for at least 12 hours for the best results. 

Note: Not all crystals can withstand direct sunlight for periods of time. Some examples are Opal, Rose Quartz, Sapphires, Smokey Quartz, and others. These crystals will lose their color, albeit not their effectiveness.

The Ground

If you’re not familiar with the concept of grounding, you should definitely look it up. Essentially, it’s just digging your toes into the earth and being mindful in the moment. Of course, with more intention, it involves visualizing the negative energy inside your being, balling it up, and depositing it into the earth. There is (speculative) science behind this therapeutic exercise, so make sure to explore it further. 

Your crystal can benefit from the neutralizing properties of our earth in the same way. Just dig a little hole and place them into the dirt. That’s it! Easy peasy! Leave it in the ground for at least 24 hours for best results.

Using Your Own Energy

This technique is at the end of the list because it’s the most taxing. If you are not familiar with using your own energy for tasks, it can become incredibly depleting, quite quickly. However, if you’re able to understand how to use your energy to imbue intention and wipe away negative energies from crystals, it can be a far more powerful way to harness your crystals. 

If you feel capable enough to do this, then make sure to settle somewhere comfortable and cup the crystal in your hands. Close your eyes, visualizing the shape and feel of the crystal. Then imagine a ball of white energy in the center of your chest, growing bigger and bigger. When it feels strong enough, visualize it coursing through your arms and into your hands. Gently push this energy into your crystal, making it fill the crystal with your essence. If you’re looking to use it with a purpose in mind, for manifestation or a spell, then also attach your intention to this process. Do this until it feels ready. 

What’s Important To Remember

As with all spiritual practices, there’s no right way to do it. Every belief system and instinct will vary from person to person—it’s important to focus on yourself. Rely on that gut instinct to make the choices best suited for yourself. Crystals are not cure alls, but they certainly help boost your goals. Happy cleansing!

We’ve all be there, dreaming about someone in our lives. Reliving the drama and sometimes, the good moments. Sometimes the dream is odd, like yelling at one another while standing next to the cast of One Tree Hill. Maybe you’ve even dreamed about not being able to speak to a loved one or them not hearing you. How annoying, ruining perfectly good sleep like that!

Whether you are dreaming about an ex, family member, a friend, or even random strangers, it’s normal to seek understanding of these dreams. So grab a pen and paper, literally and figuratively, while we learn all about how to interpret dreams.

First Steps In Understanding Dreams Of Someone You Know

If you’re here, it’s because you are wondering what it means when you wake up from that confusing and/or traumatizing dream with someone close to you. Or maybe that random guy that creeped you out at the gas station.

Studies completed by Wei Zhang and Benyu Guo, shared on the NCBI website, discovered that “sleep could allow personal/affective insight.” This personal insight is found in dream content with the relationship between individuals and emotions within the dream. Identifying the relationships occurring with others in your dream is one key part to understanding their significance. Even a relationship with an unknown person in your dream can hold significance.

How you feel waking up can tell you a lot about your dream. Our dreams can appear to be erratic and strange while also emotionally intense. The same study showed that this intensity of emotions, or features within the dream, “reflect an attempt, on the part of the brain, to identify and evaluate novel” emotional associations within the cerebral cortex of the brain.

According to Nancy B. Irwin, PsyD, C.Ht, “Every symbol or person or action in a dream or nightmare should be taken in context; it is mirroring something that is occurring in your personal or professional life, your health, etc. Many dreams are metaphorical, farcical, or even absurd simply to get your attention.”

In other words, if you dream of jumping off skyscrapers, it does not necessarily mean you actually want to jump headfirst off of these buildings. It may mean you are anxious or excited to prepare for a big event in your life.

There is always the wonder of connection between daily life and dreams. Have you ever seen a person one day and dreamt about them that night? Studies tell us this is not uncommon. According to Freud, who believed in what he called “the self-organization theory,” which posits the idea that, “…dreams are not independently functional but rather a co-product of the sleeping brain, reflecting the dreamer’s physiological and psychological activities such as memory consolidation, emotion regulation, and reception of external stimuli.”

High emotions in your day-to-day life or important events can transfer to your dreams, creating intense sleep time experiences e.g., experiencing a traumatic car wreck can lead to dreaming about the exact event or similar events. Waking life experiences can manifest in a multitude of ways, even if they’re good ones.

Recording Dreams Can Help In The Process

Katie Ziskind, a therapist at Wisdom Within Counseling, says that, “A lot of times, our dreams have meaning, but we forget them too quickly after waking up. Keep a journal by your bedside to record your dreams right after you have them while they are still fresh in your mind, before you begin going about your morning. Keeping a dream journal can be a great way to learn more about yourself and learn to nurture yourself.”

Now is the time to go buy a fresh journal, a nice pen, and make some space on your nightstand. Even if you only remember snippets, writing it down is a perfect first step to understanding what your brain is going through.

Now, let’s talk about the three levels of dream interpreting: explicit, subjective, and spiritual.

Explicit Dream Interpretation

Explicit Interpretation is being objective about the images in dreams and applying the meaning in a literal sense to life. When you’re writing down your dreams and attempting to understand them, make sure to act as if you’re reading someone else’s dreams. Objectivity is important in any facet of our lives, but it’s even more important when trying to understand a dream.

For example, if your school is the setting for your dream then the interpretation may be to examine your feelings or memories about that place. The real place is taken and interpreted with possible meanings of symbols in mind.

Subjective Dream Interpretation

One of the most famous psychology forefathers is Carl Jung. He believed that interpreting one’s dreams on a subjective level will help you understand how your brain is processing your emotions and experiences. He believed that every part of you, whether it be mind, body, or spirit, worked together to sort things out. As a result, Jung believed that dreams were your entire being processing the events of the day and how you felt about them.

Jung also believed in what he called “individuation” where dreams helped develop your own personality. This does not mean you need to assume grocery shopping down an endless aisle directly reflects your personality. Rather, it’s more like how you approach your overflowing cart or how you react to not being able to find that can of tomato soup.

This dream analysis approach help us understand the developments of our emotional energies, whether they’re working within us consciously or subconsciously. Through these symbols we alter energies to create new pathways in the mind.

Spiritual Dream Interpretation   

The final type of dream analysis techniques is spiritual dream interpretation. Psychology Today explains that when, “these characters or themes appear in your dream, they connect you to the instinctual energies shared by all humankind.” This is often the time when people search to the internet for answers about their personalized dreams. Keep in mind though that interpretations, on any level, starts on a very personal level. Your dream about elephants could mean something entirely different to someone else, even if it was the exact same dream. To truly understand we need to look at how these generalized symbols relate to our personal lives.

What Does It Mean To Dream About An Ex?

Having a dream about your ex is completely normal. Strong emotions like shame or anger can sometimes make the dreams stressful. Robert Pagano, co-founder with Sleepline.com, says that, “In some cases, dreaming of an ex may be a way for your mind and body to revisit the past and work out the emotions attached to the breakup. This may happen because going over what happened in your head is sometimes more helpful than trying new activities or participating in therapy sessions.”

Our dreams can inspire processing that our wakeful mind is incapable of doing. So the next time you dream about your ex (because it will most likely happen again), don’t wake up disgusted. Try to look at the associations or feelings with that dream and understand what may be left unresolved for you personally.

What Does It Mean To Dream About A Coworker

Dreams about exes, having arguments with friends, or being angry with your family can feel horrible, but have you ever dreamt about fighting with a co-worker or being punished by your boss for missing a big deadline? Dreams about work can often leave people feeling panicked or worried.

Each time these dreams happen it can reveal feelings of being overwhelmed and deep in the trenches of work, stressed, or unhappy with a boss. Does this mean you hate your boss or need to change jobs? When we look at conflict with anyone in our dreams, we are really looking at potential conflict with ourselves. Feelings in dreams can represent how we feel about ourselves.

Stina Garbis, a professional psychic, explains that, “the quality of the dream, happy, sad, scary, can be how you feel about yourself and these ideas or beliefs. The subconscious is trying to unpack how it feels, and will give you images that relate to your feelings, or your deep understanding of yourself. When you analyze a dream, you should stumble upon what is profoundly going on in your complicated life.”

Dreaming about a co-worker or your boss in a negative setting may not mean you need to quit your job, but it could ask you to reflect on why you feel this negative emotion. What is it about the workplace environment that is evoking this negative feeling in you? Was there a specific interaction in the workplace that was unsettling or bothersome to you? Once the “why” of the feeling has been contemplated, then it is easier to see how that feeling fits into your current work life.

Why Do You Dream About Family, Friends, Or Even Strangers?

If the dream has conflict, it’s easy to assume it’s directly related to whoever is the star of the dream. Maybe it’s a family member, a friend, or even a random person. Sometimes, though, trying to make sense of the dream in direct relation to this person isn’t always the best route.

However, this “random” person that appears in your dream may represent more than you think. They can represent different archetypes in your life. Bethany Loveday, a Certified Dream Therapist, explains this theory perfectly. “…dreaming about your grandmother, regardless of your relationship with her, might be representing the archetype of the Old Wise Woman rather than herself.”

That can be a hard pill to swallow when you view the other person as creating problems in the relationship or in your life. It is reasonable that these same representations would happen in our dreams as well. The comparison in our dreams may be easier for us to accept and reflect on than in our daily lives as it is happening.

No matter what the dream is, there are a multitude of approaches to be taken when taking a closer look at our dreams. Searching for answers online of how to approach interpreting these dreams can be helpful. We should not solely rely on what someone else wrote about their dream though and expect it to perfectly connect to our own experiences. Dreams offer an opportunity for self-reflection in situations or relationship that we had not considered before. Dreams are an opportunity to learn about ourselves and our relationship with the world.

So buy that journal, get a pen you love, and dig a bit deeper tomorrow morning!

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. But as we move further into fall, the importance of prevention and awareness remain.

While it’s true that many suicidal people will never let on to their true feelings, it isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the warning signs are right in front of us. We just don’t see them that way. 

Here are some of the most common warning signs of suicide that are easy to miss.

Dangerous Or Reckless Behavior

This one might seem obvious at first, but we tend to permit certain types of recklessness. Committing self-harm in clear ways, like cutting, is easy to recognize as a suicide red flag. 

Getting blackout drunk every night, however, isn’t. Neither is reckless driving. We’ll call these actions “acting wild” or, my personal favorite, “being a regular twenty-something-year-old.”

Unsafe sexual activity is another warning sign. Our culture will often demonize women who engage in dangerous sex. Thus, we’re quick to overlook this sign.

For a non-suicidal person, the risk of death or harm is enough to prevent them from engaging in these behaviors. For a suicidal person, it’s the only reason to act that way.

Drastic Changes In Appearance

A major change in appearance can be a sign that a person is feeling disconnected from their body. In some cases, this can be a bad change. In others, it’s just different. 

For example, a person normally put together might become unkempt. A common symptom of depression is an inability to do simple self-care. This includes brushing your hair and teeth, taking a shower, and doing laundry. 

Alternatively, a person could make major changes that aren’t bad or good. They might chop off all of their hair or dye it a new color. 

A sudden increase in tattoos or piercings can also be a red flag. To be clear, not everyone who has body mods has poor mental health. But body mods are physically traumatic. 

Giving the body time to heal is important. Someone getting major modifications back to back could feel dissociated from their body. They use these mods to feel something.

Drastic Changes In Personality

Similarly, a person might have sudden personality changes. And like appearance, this can manifest in different ways, depending on the person. 

Suicidal people are prone to major mood swings. A person might be inexplicably irritated or angry. These episodes can occur despite there being no specific triggers. 

Mania, a common symptom of bipolar disorder, is another warning sign. Mania is easy to miss because, on the surface, the emotions seem positive. A person might seem especially motivated or happy. 

A manic person might have big plans for their life or career. They might make irresponsible decisions—like spending out of their means—to carry out those plans. 

In this case, it’s all about context. What is the person normally like? How are they acting now? If the two are different, it might be a warning sign.

Giving Away Things, Money, Etc.

Generosity is great. But if a person suddenly starts giving away their belongings and money, it could signify they don’t plan on using them for much longer. 

Some religions, like Buddhism, encourage the rejection of earthly possessions. It’s also possible that someone with excess wealth might suddenly feel compelled to share it with the needy. 

So, again, it’s crucial to look at the entire picture. Is the person giving away things they would normally use every day, like their car or favorite clothes? Are they giving away more money than they have to spare? 

If the answer is yes, then it might be time to check in with them.

Pushing Loved Ones Away

Depressed people will often withdraw from others. A person might choose to be alone, canceling or avoiding plans. To a non-suicidal person, this might come across as being flaky. 

In reality, it’s easier for a depressed person to be away from others. Depression convinces people they are a burden or that no one truly cares for them. 

They could have an entire crowd of people in their corner rooting for them, and they would still feel unwanted. To avoid confronting what they believe is a fact, they remove themselves from social situations entirely. 

Suicidal people might also push others away more directly. They might hurt a loved one’s feelings, so the other person is more likely to leave them alone. 

Unfortunately, our egos make it difficult to recognize these actions as a cry for help, not a personal attack.

Self Deprecating Humor

Our culture is quick to use—and write off—self-deprecating humor. We’ve normalized phrases like “I want to kill myself” and “kill me now” as hyperbolic humor and nothing more. 

And while humor can be an effective coping mechanism, it can also desensitize us to actual cries for help. If a person is constantly joking about offing themselves, we might assume that’s just their sense of humor. 

However, studies show a positive correlation between those who use this humor and those who are suicidal. So much so that several prevention agencies have recognized it as a warning sign. 

There is still a stigma around suicide and mental health. It can feel awkward turning a joke into a serious discussion. But it could be a matter of life or death. 

Using humor as a coping mechanism is not inherently bad. You don’t necessarily have to tell a depressed person to stop. They just need to know that you are there for them if and when they need to speak seriously.

One Or More Risk Factors

Some suicidal people are great at hiding their feelings. Despite their internal feelings, they can come across as happy and hopeful. 

Therefore, it might be better to look for risk factors. Depression affects all ages, races, and genders. There is no set recipe for a suicidal person. There are only varying combinations of internal and external factors. 

Risk factors pertaining to health include a history of mental health disorders. Chronic pain conditions may contribute as well. Traumatic injuries can also increase suicide risk. 

Someone’s external environment can pose risks, too. Ready access to lethal means like firearms and drugs increases a person’s risk of death. 

Prolonged stress, emotional harassment, and disruptive life events increase suicide risk. Disruptive life events can include divorce or financial crises.

Finally, people’s pasts can often contribute to suicidal feelings. A family history of depression and suicide, previous suicide attempts, or childhood neglect or abuse can all increase a person’s risk for suicide.

How To Help Someone Who Is Suicidal

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It disproportionately affects people of color and Indigenous people. Men also have a greater risk of dying by suicide than women. Though, statistically, more women are depressed. 

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, seek help immediately. Online resources include the suicide hotline, online therapy, and online crisis centers. 

In-person resources include counselors, health care professionals, mentors, and family and friends. Despite how depression makes someone feel, they are not alone in their struggle. 

Not all deaths are preventable, but suicide is. Learning to recognize the warning signs and risk factors before it’s too late can make all the difference in the world.

Diet culture is as stale as the low-cal snacks collecting dust in my cupboard. Airbrushed imagery and subliminal messaging bombard us daily, telling us to tie our purpose to our physique.

This phenomenon is especially disturbing in our new, post-pandemic reality. After surviving a pandemic that has taken over 3.5 million lives, diet companies would have us believe the most pressing issue is our waistline.

Let me take a moment to say, f*ck that. Our bodies have carried us through the worst collective trauma this generation has experienced in recent history.

My body won’t be shamed for what it had to do to get through this past year. And yours shouldn’t, either.

The Majority Of Us Put On A Few Pandemic Pounds

A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in February 2021 found that 61% of adults experienced undesired weight changes since the pandemic started. Gen Z-ers, millennials, parents, and essential workers reported the most weight gain.

One month later, JAMA Network Open published a study in which weight measurements were collected from 270 middle-aged men and women. From February to June 2020, participants’ weights increased by 1.5 pounds per month.

At that pace, that would add up to an extra 20 pounds by February 2021. So, not only is pandemic weight gain normal—it’s common.

Why The Sudden Weight Gain?

Because 2020 sucked.

The pandemic was and is traumatic. An Australian study found the pandemic to be “capable of eliciting PTSD-like responses and exacerbating other related mental health problems.”

Last year, the emotional, mental, and physical toll of the pandemic became so commonplace, it was almost easy to forget. But our bodies didn’t.

In fact, according to the APA, Americans are more stressed out than ever. Stress lowers levels of serotonin, which increases anxiety and causes increased appetite, overeating, and weight gain.

High-calorie, sugary foods do the exact opposite by temporarily increasing serotonin levels. So, who can blame anyone for turning to a comfort snack or two?

Apparently, The New York Times Can

In early May, the New York Times (NYT) spoke to Jessica Short about an all-too-real post-pandemic dilemma: none of Short’s clothes seemed to fit her anymore, and she was embarking on a new diet.

The article begins as a peek into the booming post-pandemic diet industry. But amid corporate news and personal testimonies, the NYT managed to squeeze in some not-so-thinly veiled anti-fat rhetoric.

According to the NYT, people either made healthy choices like cooking at home and riding their Peloton “for hours,” or they managed through “less healthy means,” specifically, “sitting on their couches, drinking chardonnay, and munching on Cheetos.”

Was this trivialization of a trauma response intentional? I’m not sure. But immediate backlash suggests others received the same message I did: if you gained weight during the pandemic, then you didn’t try hard enough.

But Size Doesn’t Equate To Health

Stigma and discrimination toward obese persons is nothing new. In fact, weight discrimination in America has increased in prevalence by 66% over the past decade. 

Long-held misconceptions that obese individuals are “lazy, weak-willed, or unintelligent” have pervaded all aspects of our society. We internalize these notions in childhood. And as a result, we associate fatness with laziness and thinness with beauty.

In reality, thinness doesn’t equal healthiness. And “Cheetos and chardonnay” quips do nothing but externally validate the internalized fat-phobias promoted in this country (we’re calling you out, NYT).

Twitter user @Dumily_Chambers summed it up perfectly: “The last time Americans went through a pandemic like this, their pharmacist gave out opium and their pop had cocaine. Just let us eat our f***ing chips, NYT.”

Weight Loss Isn’t The Be-All And End-All

I’m not saying prioritizing physical health is unwise. Obesity can increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and mental illness. But it’s not the only cause of these issues, and a smaller number on the scale isn’t a guaranteed fix.

Furthermore, a University of California study found that dieting might be altogether ineffective.

“Weight regain appears to be the typical response to dieting, not the exception,” explains Traci Mann, Ph.D., co-author of the UCLA research paper. 

Instead, the American Heart Association suggests focusing on incorporating more nutrient-rich whole foods and water into your daily routine. Restrictive diets and overexercising can lead to a slew of negative psychological and physical problems.

The World Is Different And Your Body Will Be, Too

It’s important to remember that COVID affected all—your body included. So, even if your pants fit a bit snug, it’s crucial to give yourself the same grace you extended to others during this trying time.

As someone who has struggled with body issues and weight fluctuations my entire life, I understand that not letting a few extra pounds get you down is much easier said than done. But if there was ever a reason to treat yo’self with a glass of wine and your favorite snack, a pandemic is a pretty damn good one.

So, pat yourself on the back. You survived, and no number on the scale will ever change that fact.

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Astrology is the ancient practice of determining the position of celestial bodies and analyzing their effects on human affairs and the natural world. From the Greek astron, meaning star, and -ology, the Latin word for the “study of,” this study of the stars originated in Babylon over 2,000 years ago. Several hundred years after its founding, it traveled across the Mediterranean and gained popularity in Egypt and Greece.

Fast forward a couple of millennia, and we’re inundated with ways to evaluate our horoscopes: daily, weekly, yearly, horoscope compatibility, you name it. Chances are you’ve already discovered your sun sign. This is determined by which constellation is passing behind the sun at the time of your birth. But what about your moon? Your ascendant? To find these, we need genethliacal, or natal, astrology.

Natal astrology dives deeper into a horoscope by determining the position of all the major celestial bodies–not just the sun–at your time of birth. A natal chart includes the moon, the ascendant (the constellation on the horizon), the seven planets, and the twelve houses “ruled” by each zodiac sign. As with any pseudo-science, we don’t recommend using the information gained from your natal chart as the end-all-be-all for significant decisions in your life. However, reading your natal chart can be a fun, interesting way to learn a little more about yourself, your emotions, and your aspirations.

To read your natal chart–whether it’s formatted in the traditional zodiac wheel or as a table–you will need your birth date, location, and time. Celestial body positions can change in the sky as quickly as every two hours, so the more accurate your birth time is, the more precise your reading will be.

Sun, Moon, And Ascendant: Determining All Facets of Your ‘Self’

The three main pillars of your natal chart are your sun, moon, and ascendant signs. These signs determine the three “sides” of your self.

Sun sign: The ego-driven ‘I’–your sun sign represents your innermost self, the one through which you make most of your decisions and by which you navigate your day-to-day life.

Moon sign: The internal ‘you’ that will likely never be seen by other people. Your moon sign taps into your emotional self, representing the deepest recesses of your heart and mind.

Ascendant sign: The external ‘you’ that is viewed by other people. Your ascendant sign represents what people see when they first meet you and how you present to the outside world.

The Planets: Determining Deeper Aspects Of Your Life, Including Communication, Love, Goals, And Responsibilities

All seven planets of our solar system (yes, Pluto’s included) represent different energies, needs, or drives in our lives. The inner planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars) affect day-to-day life, moods, and habits. The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) affect entire generations. This difference is due to the planets’ varying orbit speeds and their correlating position in the sky. The outer planets move much more slowly, causing their energy to influence a wider span of people.

A natal chart describes which zodiac sign each planet is ‘in’ at the time of your birth. Both the zodiac signs and the planets are associated with specific character traits, tendencies, or capabilities — how the two interact is what makes your natal chart unique to you. We’ve broken down what each planet represents and how they’re depicted in glyph (or symbol) form.

Mercury: communication, intelligence, and reason

• Symbol: a two-horned circle with a cross underneath

Venus: receiving and giving affection (your ‘love language’)

• Symbol: a circle with a cross underneath

Mars: action-oriented, aggression, sex drive, and anger

• Symbol: a circle with an arrow pointing diagonally

Jupiter: good fortune and personal growth

• Symbol: a slightly curvy “4”

Saturn: responsibility, rules, and personal challenges

• Symbol: a slightly curvy “h” with a crossed far-left line

Uranus: a generational uniqueness, intuition, and inspiration

• Symbol: capital “H” with a vertical, bulbed line cutting through the center

Neptune: creativity, dreams, and imagination

• Symbol: a trident

Pluto: personal and non-personal power dynamics

• Symbol: a wine-glass shape with a circle in the widest part and a crossed stem

The Houses: Who’s Living In Them, And What Do They Mean?

Houses are determined by arranging the twelve zodiac constellations into a flat circle – a 2D representation of their orbital pattern – and dividing them into equal sections (imagine a sliced pizza–each of the 12 slices is a ‘house’). A house is considered to be “ruled” by whichever zodiac sign is naturally found within it. The moon and planets pass through these houses during their individual orbits; the sun ends up aligning with different houses as the solar system orbits around it. Houses indicate and influence human nature in relation to the celestial bodies found within them.

The first house (Aries): this house determines first impressions, initiatives, leadership, and new beginnings. The first house is where your ascendant sign lives.

The second house (Taurus): this house influences your immediate physical and material environment.

The third house (Gemini): this house influences all aspects of communication, including modes of connection and community interaction.

The fourth house (Cancer): this acts as the “foundation” of the zodiac wheel. The fourth house determines basic security, privacy, and home life.

The fifth house (Leo): this house indicates self-expression, creativity, attention, and drama (as a Leo myself, this is unsurprising).

The sixth house (Virgo): this house represents health and service, including schedules, helpfulness, diet, and exercise.

The seventh house (Libra): this house governs interpersonal relationships, both business and personal.

The eighth house (Scorpio): this house indicates darker, more mysterious facets of life, including birth, death, transformation, sex, and bonding.

The ninth house (Saggitarius): this house represents the higher mind and expansion, including international or long-distance travel, new languages, broadcasting, and higher education.

The tenth house (Capricorn): located at the top of the chart, this house represents the most public aspects of society, including tradition, corporations, government, discipline, and authority.

The eleventh house (Aquarius): this house influences social justice, rebellion, humanitarianism, friendships, and networking.

The twelfth house (Pisces): as the last house, this represents endings, old age, and the afterlife.

Aspects: What Makes Your Natal Chart Entirely Unique To You

The foundation of a natal chart is the varying degrees of connection between all nine celestial bodies, twelve zodiac signs, and their corresponding houses. These degrees of connection are determined by aspects and offer a closer look into the weaknesses or strengths of a specific celestial figure’s influence over your life. Aspects provide deeper analyses of the general descriptions listed above.

On a traditional wheel chart, aspects are indicated by red, blue, or black lines connecting individual planets to each other or planets to zodiac signs. The acuteness or obtuseness of any specific aspect’s angle indicates the strength or weakness of that relationship’s influence. When presented as a table, aspects are indicated by their degrees.

Aspects are where things get painstakingly specific. If you’d like to learn more about how the aspects of your natal chart pertain to you, visit the online astrology education resource listed below or visit an astrologer in-person.

Continuing The Analysis: Finding, Reading, And Utilizing Your Own Chart

The nitty-gritty of genethliacal astrology can seem too confusing for the novice astrologer, but the main idea is to observe connections. Each celestial body and house’s traits are fixed. As they continue their neverending orbit, the energies over which they preside remain the same. What influences you is their specific placement in the sky at the time of your birth.

There are several resources online that will determine your natal chart and provide a general analysis, including Café Astrology, Astrolabe, and Co-Star.
This astrology educational resource is an excellent tool for learning more about celestial and elemental influence. You can also find a wide selection of astrology books here. To get the most nuanced analysis of your natal chart, visit an astrologer.